High prevalence of enteroparasites in children from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE:: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and possible associated factors. METHOD:: Cross-sectional epidemiological study of 962 children (3-12-years) from an area within the scope of a basic health unit in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected by home interviews and three-sample stool analysis and evaluated with the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (p<0.05). RESULTS:: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly high (57.5%). Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent (50.8%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (17.8%), Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis nana, Entamoeba coli and Enterobius vermiculares (5.6-7.3%) and other parasites of lower prevalence, such as Schistosoma japonicum (1%) and Schistosoma mansoni (0.5%). No statistically significant associations were detected between prevalence and the risk factors analyzed. CONCLUSION:: Since the area presents good conditions of environmental sanitation, health education programs should be implemented that emphasize hygiene procedures for the hands and for food and water to be consumed by the population.

High prevalence of enteroparasites in children from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil / Alta prevalencia de enteroparasitosis en niños de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and possible associated factors. Method: Cross-sectional epidemiological study of 962 children (3-12-years) from an area within the scope of a basic health unit in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected by home interviews and three-sample stool analysis and evaluated with the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (p<0.05). Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly high (57.5%). Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent (50.8%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (17.8%), Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis nana, Entamoeba coli and Enterobius vermiculares (5.6-7.3%) and other parasites of lower prevalence, such as Schistosoma japonicum (1%) and Schistosoma mansoni (0.5%). No statistically significant associations were detected between prevalence and the risk factors analyzed. Conclusion: Since the area presents good conditions of environmental sanitation, health education programs should be implemented that emphasize hygiene procedures for the hands and for food and water to be consumed by the population.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de parasitas intestinais e possíveis fatores associados. Método: Estudo epidemiológico de corte transversal, população de 962 crianças (3-12 anos) residentes em uma área de abrangência de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde na cidade de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas domiciliares e exame de fezes (três amostras). A análise de dados aplicou testes Qui-quadrado e Fisher (p< 0,05). Resultados: A prevalência de parasitas foi significativamente elevada (57,5%). Giardia lamblia foi a mais prevalente (50,8%), seguida por Ascaris lumbricoides (17,8%), Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis nana, Entamoeba coli e Enterobius vermiculares (5,6 -7,3%) e outros parasitas, como o Schistosoma japonicum (1%) e Schistosoma mansoni (0,5%). Não houve associações estatisticamente significativas entre a prevalência e os fatores de risco analisados. Conclusão: Como a área apresenta boas condições de saneamento, programas de educação em saúde devem ser implementados, enfatizando o consumo de água filtrada.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y posibles asociaciones de enteroparasitosis con posibles factores asociados. Método: Estudio epidemiológico, corte transversal, muestra de 962 niños (3-12 años) en un área de cobertura de una Unidad de Salud de la Familia en Ribeirão Preto-São Paulo, Brasil. Los datos fueron recogidos mediante la aplicación de entrevistas y exámenes de heces con tres muestras/niño, que fueron analizados utilizando Chi-cuadrado y Fisher (0,05%). Resultados: La prevalencia de enteroparasitosis fue alta (57,5%). Giardia lamblia fue el parásito más frecuente (50,8%), seguido por Ascaris lumbricoides (17,8%), Entamoeba histolytica, H. nana, E. coli y Enterobius vermicularis (5,6-7,3%) y otros parásitos con frecuencias más bajas. No se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre prevalencia y factores de riesgo analizados. Conclusión: Aunque el área del estudio tenga buenas condiciones socioeconómicas y demográficas, existe la necesidad de implementar acciones con enfoque en la promoción de la salud de esta población.

Study of risk factors for atopic sensitization, asthma, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in animal laboratory workers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this estudy was to investigate the influence of allergen exposure levels and other risk factors for allergic sensitization, asthma, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in workers exposed to laboratory animals. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed at two universities, 123 workplaces with 737 subjects. Dust samples were collected from laboratories and animal facilities housing rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, or hamsters and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure allergen concentrations. We also sampled workplaces without animals. Asthma was defined by both symptoms and BHR to mannitol. The concentrations of allergens were tested for association with a skin prick test, respiratory symptoms, spirometry data, and BHR. This multivariate analysis was performed by using Poisson regression to estimate the relative risk (RR) for the exposed group. RESULTS: Our sample comprised students and workers, with 336 subjects in the nonexposed group and 401 subjects in the exposed group. Sixty-nine subjects (17%) had positive results in the skin prick test for animal allergens in the exposed group; in the nonexposed group, 10 subjects had positive results (3%) (p<0.001). Exposure to laboratory animals over 2.8 years was associated with atopic sensitization (RR=1.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-3.15; p=0.02). Allergen concentration was not associated with sensitization, asthma, or BHR. CONCLUSION: Exposure to laboratory animals was associated with atopic sensitization. However, we did not find a cutoff allergen concentration that increased the risk for sensitization. Duration of exposure seems to be more relevant to sensitization than concentration of allergens in dust.