Spatial distribution of intestinal parasitic infections in a Kaingáng indigenous village from Southern Brazil.

The spatial distribution of enteroparasitosis in an indigenous village from Paraná was evaluated to identify areas of risk for these infections. A cross-sectional study (from November 2010 to June 2011) was performed using Three Faecal Test(®) and Kato & Katz method and a questionnaire on housing and hygiene conditions was administered. Local geostatistical analyses were performed to determine the spatial distribution of intestinal parasitic infections. The overall prevalence of enteroparasites was 67.2 % (457/680), and the most prevalent taxa were Ascaris lumbricoides (48.8 %) and Trichuris trichiura (44.7 %). The prevalence of heavy infection by soil-transmitted helminths was 3.6 % and the families lived in houses with an average of 5.1 residents and < 2 bedrooms per household. The average number of species per individual present spatial heterogeneity with the highest values (≥0.8) in areas with high clustering of residences. The visualization of the spatial distribution of intestinal parasites in this indigenous village is an important contribution to determining health risk areas and planning decisions and services.

Impact of antiparasitic treatment on the prevalence of ectoparasites in dogs from an indigenous territory, State of Paraná, Brasil

We report on surveys of ectoparasites in dogs from an indigenous village of the state of Paraná, southern Brazil, before and after ivermectin treatment. From April through June 2008, we conducted a baseline survey to evaluate 145 of an estimated population of 200 dogs. The dogs received parasitological and clinical examinations, and were treated with up to four doses of ivermectin. In September 2008, we conducted a monitoring survey with 83 dogs, to assess the impact of treatment on the prevalence of ectoparasitosis. The initial investigation found 9 taxa of ectoparasites in 37.9 por cento of dogs examined. The most prevalent ectoparasitosis was myiasis caused by larvae of Dermatobia hominis (28.9 por cento). Clinical evaluation showed that 51 por cento of the dogs had signs of scabies, and 48.9 por cento had alopecia. The follow-up monitoring survey found a similar overall prevalence of ectoparasites (40.9 por cento); D. hominis (22.9 por cento) remained the most frequent, followed by Ctenocephalides felis felis (18.1 por cento). However, the signs of sarcoptic mange (12.0 por cento) were significantly reduced (p<0.0001) by the antiparasitic treatment. After treatment, 51.3 por cento of the animals had no ectoparasites. These results indicate that the dogs of this indigenous village continue to be important hosts for ectoparasites, in spite of clinical improvement after ivermectin treatment...

Impacto do tratamento antiparasitário sobre a prevalência de ectoparasitos em cães de uma Terra Indígena, Estado do Paraná, BrasilNeste estudo são relatados os resultados de inquéritos ectoparasitológicos realizados em cães de uma aldeia indígena do Estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil, antes e após os tratamentos com ivermectina. De abril a junho de 2008, foi realizado um inquérito incial avaliando-se 145 de uma população estimada de 200 cães. Os animais foram avaliados clínica e parasitologicamente e tratados com até quatro doses de ivermectina. Em setembro do mesmo ano foi realizado um inquérito de monitoramento com 83 cães para avaliar o impacto do tratamento sobre a prevalência das ectoparasitoses. Na investigação inicial foram encontrados 9 taxa de ectoparasitas em 37,9% dos animais examinados. A ectoparasitose mais prevalente foi a miíase causada por larvas de Dermatobia hominis (28,9%). Na avaliação clínica, 51% dos cães apresentavam sinais de sarna e a alopecia foi o mais prevalente ocorrendo em 48,9% dos cães. No inquérito de monitoramento, a prevalência total de ectoparasitas (40,9%) não se alterou significativamente; parasitismo por D. hominis (22,9%) manteve-se o mais freqüente, seguido por Ctenocephalides felis felis (18,1%). No entanto, a prevalência de sinais de sarna sarcóptica (12,0%) foi significativamente reduzida (p <0,0001) pelo tratamento antiparasitário. Após o tratamento, 51,3% dos animais não tinha infestação por ectoparasitas. Estes resultados indicam que os cães desta aldeia indígena permanecem como importante hospedeiro para ectoparasitas, apesar da melhora clínica obtida com o tratamento com ivermectina...

Dinâmica social e familiar: uma descrição etnográfica de famílias de idosos kaingang / Social and family dynamics: an ethnographic description of families of elderly kaingang individuals / Dinámica social y familiar: una descripción etnográfica de las familias de ancianos kaingang

Os povos indígenas possuem organização sociocultural e conhecimentos étnicos específicos, fruto de suas relações com o ambiente em que estão inseridos e de sua dinâmica social. Esses fatores relacionados àspráticas de cuidado adotadas pela família são pouco conhecidos pela comunidade acadêmica. Assim sendo, oobjetivo desta pesquisa foi identificar as condições de vida e a dinâmica da organização social das famílias deidosos Kaingang da Terra Indígena Faxinal. Este estudo consiste em uma pesquisa qualitativa de abordagem etnográfica cujos dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas e de observação participante no período denovembro de 2010 a março de 2011. Foram entrevistados 25 idosos, e como em alguns casos havia consanguinidade e coabitação, foram estudadas vinte famílias. Os dados foram analisados por meio de análise etnográfica, seguindo os passos propostos por Leininger. As famílias tecem em conjunto peças de artesanato, oque constitui a principal fonte de renda da comunidade. Observou-se fragilidade nas relações matrimoniais, com frequentes trocas de parceiros. Foram reforçadas as características já descritas sobre as famílias Kaingangcomo a patrilinearidade, a matrilocalidade, a uroxilocalidade e a permanência da autonomia da organização familiar diante de outros aspectos da organização sociopolítica daquela comunidade.

Indigenous people have specific socio-cultural organization and ethnic knowledge which is resultant of relationship with the environment in which they live and their social dynamics. These factors are related to carepractices adopted by the family, being unknown to the academic community. Therefore, the objective of thisresearch was to identify the organization and social dynamic of families of Kaingang individuals in Faxinal- PR. Itis a qualitative research with ethnographic approach. Data was collected through interviews and participantobservation from November 2010 to March 2011. We interviewed 25 elderlies and 20 families. Data wereanalyzed using ethnographic analysis, following the steps proposed by Leininger. The families weave togetherpieces of craftsmanship that is the main source of income for the community. There is weakness in maritalrelations, with frequent exchanges of spouses. Some characteristics already described to Kaingang families were highlighted such as the patriliny, the matrilocality and the uroxilocality. The autonomy of the family organization before other socio-political aspects of that community organization was also reinforced.

Los pueblos indígenas poseen organización sociocultural y conocimientos étnicos específicos, fruto de susrelaciones con el ambiente en que están insertados y su dinámica social. Estos factores relacionados a lasprácticas de cuidado adoptadas por la familia son poco conocidos por la comunidad académica. Así siendo, elobjetivo de esta investigación fue identificar las condiciones de vida y dinámica de organización social de lasfamilias de ancianos Kaingang en la Tierra Indígena Faxinal. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa de abordaje etnográfico, cuyos datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas y observación participante en el periodo denoviembre de 2010 a marzo de 2011. Fueron entrevistados 25 ancianos y por haber consanguinidad ycohabitación en algunos casos, fueron estudiadas 20 familias. Los datos fueron analizados a través de análisisetnográfico, siguiendo los pasos propuestos por Leininger. Las familias tejen en conjunto piezas de artesanía, que es la principal fuente de renta de la comunidad. Se observó fragilidad en las relaciones matrimoniales, confrecuentes cambios de parejas. Fueron reforzadas las características ya descriptas sobre las familias Kaingangcomo la patrilinearidad, matrilocalidad, uxurilocalidad y la permanencia de la autonomía de la organizaciónfamiliar delante de otros aspectos de la organización socio-política de aquella comunidad.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Kaingang native americans in southern Brazil

The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and obesity among a Brazilian indigenous population. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008 among Kaingang native Americans from the central region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Eighty two of the inhabitants aged 15 or older were selected. Height, weight, blood pressure, waistline circumference, and hip circumference were measured. After fasting, the blood was collected for the measurement of glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, total cholesterol, AI and B apolipoprotein, and hemoglobin. The prevalences found were: fasting hyperglycemia (9.8 percent), hypercholesterolemia (4.9 percent), reduced HDL cholesterol (13.4 percent), hypertriglyceridemia (11 percent), abdominal obesity (37.8 percent), generalized obesity (26.8 percent), arterial hypertension (26.8 percent), and anemia (46.3 percent). The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among the Kaingang was 11 percent, all in females 20 to 49 years of age. The results suggested that the changes in the indigenous lifestyle, especially in eating habits and physical activity, have occurred.

Enteroparasite contamination in peridomiciliar soils of two indigenous territories, State of Paraná, southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) the degree of soil contamination by parasites; 2) the prevalence of contaminated samples; 3) the overall number of parasitic forms, by distance between the collection site and the domicile; 4) the mean number of parasite forms per peri-household area; and 5) the variables associated with the total number of parasite forms. METHODS: Soil samples were collected in the peridomicile of 18 (out of a total sample of 63) and 22 (out of 190) residences of the Faxinal and Ivaí indigenous territories (ITs), respectively, from March 2005 through October 2006, and evaluated by the methods of Baermann, modified Faust et al., and Lutz. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of samples contaminated by enteroparasites of humans or of animals with zoonotic potential was 75.7% (84 out of 111) in Faxinal and 96.2% (127 out of 132) in Ivaí. The most prevalent parasites were Ascaris spp., Isospora spp., and Toxocara spp. Positive statistical associations were observed between the number of parasitic forms per domicile and the following variables: time of year (season), the presence of bathrooms in the domicile, and the presence of excrement on peridomiciliar soil. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of soil contamination in Faxinal and Ivaí 1) constitutes a potential source of parasitic infection and 2) suggests that the treatment of human and animal excreta continues to be inadequate.

Enteroparasite contamination in peridomiciliar soils of two indigenous territories, State of Paraná, southern Brazil / Contaminación por enteroparásitos en el suelo peridomiciliar de dos territorios indígenas del estado de Paraná, en el sur del Brasil

OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) the degree of soil contamination by parasites; 2) the prevalence of contaminated samples; 3) the overall number of parasitic forms, by distance between the collection site and the domicile; 4) the mean number of parasite forms per peri-household area; and 5) the variables associated with the total number of parasite forms. METHODS: Soil samples were collected in the peridomicile of 18 (out of a total sample of 63) and 22 (out of 190) residences of the Faxinal and Ivaí indigenous territories (ITs), respectively, from March 2005 through October 2006, and evaluated by the methods of Baermann, modified Faust et al., and Lutz. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of samples contaminated by enteroparasites of humans or of animals with zoonotic potential was 75.7 percent (84 out of 111) in Faxinal and 96.2 percent (127 out of 132) in Ivaí. The most prevalent parasites were Ascaris spp., Isospora spp., and Toxocara spp. Positive statistical associations were observed between the number of parasitic forms per domicile and the following variables: time of year (season), the presence of bathrooms in the domicile, and the presence of excrement on peridomiciliar soil. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of soil contamination in Faxinal and Ivaí 1) constitutes a potential source of parasitic infection and 2) suggests that the treatment of human and animal excreta continues to be inadequate.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar: 1) el grado de contaminación parasitaria del suelo; 2) la prevalencia de muestras contaminadas; 3) el número general de formas parasitarias, en función de la distancia entre el sitio donde se tomaron las muestras y el domicilio; 4) el número promedio de formas parasitarias por área peridomiciliar y 5) las variables relacionadas con el número total de formas parasitarias. MÉTODOS: Se recogieron muestras del suelo de los alrededores de 18 (de una muestra total de 63) y 22 domicilios (de una muestra total de 190) situados en los territorios indígenas Faxinal e Ivaí, respectivamente, entre marzo del 2005 y octubre del 2006. Las muestras se evaluaron mediante los métodos propuestos por Baermann, Faust et al. (modificado) y Lutz. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia general de las muestras contaminadas por enteroparásitos humanos o animales que se consideraron de potencial zoonótico fue de 75,7 por ciento (84 de 111) en Faxinal y de 96,2 por ciento (127 de 132) en Ivaí. Las especies de parásitos más prevalentes fueron Ascaris, Isospora y Toxocara. Se observó una asociación estadística positiva entre el número de formas parasitarias halladas en los alrededores de cada domicilio y las siguientes variables: la época del año (estación), la existencia de baños domiciliarios y el hallazgo de excremento en el suelo peridomiciliar. CONCLUSIONES: La gran contaminación del suelo hallada en Faxinal e Ivaí constituye una posible fuente de infección parasitaria e indica que sigue siendo insuficiente el tratamiento de los excrementos de seres humanos y animales.

Evaluation of enteroparasite control activities in a Kaingáng community of Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the parasitological state of families in an indigenous community after institution of enteroparasite control measures. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted between 2004 and 2006 among 447 individuals of the Kaingáng ethnic group, in the municipality of Cândido de Abreu, Southern Brazil. The enteroparasite control measures were: sanitation improvements in 2003, antiparasite treatments that were administered during the study period, and health education activities that were started in 2005. Parasitological health indicators were obtained through three coproparasitological surveys (in 2004, 2005 and 2006), in which 250, 147 and 126 stool samples, respectively, were collected. These were evaluated using the spontaneous sedimentation, centrifugation-flotation and Kato-Katz methods. Housing and hygiene conditions were assessed by means of a questionnaire applied to 69 (2004), 57 (2005) and 38 (2006) of the 90 families. RESULTS: The overall prevalences of enteroparasites were 91.6% (2004), 94.6% (2005) and 87.3% (2006) and did not show any significant reduction. The prevalence of some species decreased, while the prevalence of others increased significantly. High-intensity infections due to geohelminths presented rates of less than 2% over the study period. The proportion of the interviewees who reported using a toilet increased from 38.8% to 71.1% (p< 0.005) and the proportion taking antiparasite agents increased from 70.2% to 100% (p= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There were significant improvements in the parasitological health indicators, such as reductions in the prevalence of some species of enteroparasites and maintenance of a low parasite load, thus showing the importance of combining antiparasite treatment with sanitation improvements.

Avaliação de atividades de controle para enteroparasitos em uma aldeia Kaingáng do Paraná / Evaluation of enteroparasite control activities in a Kaingáng community of Southern Brazil

OBJETIVO: Analisar o estado parasitológico de famílias de comunidade indígena após instituição de medidas de controle para enteroparasitos. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal realizado entre 2004 e 2006 com 447 pessoas da etnia Kaingáng, no município de Cândido de Abreu, PR. As medidas de controle de enteroparasitos foram: melhorias sanitárias em 2003, tratamentos antiparasitários realizados durante o período de estudo e atividades de educação em saúde iniciadas em 2005. Foram obtidos indicadores parasitológicos de saúde em três inquéritos coproparasitológicos em 2004, 2005 e 2006 quando foram coletadas 250, 147 e 126 amostras de fezes, respectivamente. Foram utilizados os métodos de sedimentação espontânea, centrífugo-flutuação e Kato/Katz. As condições de moradia e higiene foram determinadas utilizando-se questionário aplicado a 69 (2004), 57 (2005) e 38 (2006) das 90 famílias. RESULTADOS: As prevalências totais de enteroparasitos de 2004-06 foram, respectivamente: 91,6 por cento, 94,6 por cento e 87,3 por cento, sem redução significativa. A prevalência de algumas espécies reduziu enquanto que a de outras aumentou significativamente. As infecções de alta intensidade por geoelmintos apresentaram taxas menores de 2 por cento no período do estudo. Houve aumento nas taxas de entrevistados que relataram usar o banheiro (p<0,005) de 38,8 por cento para 71,1 por cento e ter tomado antiparasitário (p=0,001) de 70,2 por cento para 100,0 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: Houve melhora significativa de indicadores parasitológicos de saúde da população como a redução na prevalência de algumas espécies de enteroparasitos, além da manutenção de baixa carga parasitária, mostrando a importância de se associar o tratamento antiparasitário às melhorias sanitárias.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the parasitological state of families in an indigenous community after institution of enteroparasite control measures. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted between 2004 and 2006 among 447 individuals of the Kaingáng ethnic group, in the municipality of Cândido de Abreu, Southern Brazil. The enteroparasite control measures were: sanitation improvements in 2003, antiparasite treatments that were administered during the study period, and health education activities that were started in 2005. Parasitological health indicators were obtained through three coproparasitological surveys (in 2004, 2005 and 2006), in which 250, 147 and 126 stool samples, respectively, were collected. These were evaluated using the spontaneous sedimentation, centrifugation-flotation and Kato-Katz methods. Housing and hygiene conditions were assessed by means of a questionnaire applied to 69 (2004), 57 (2005) and 38 (2006) of the 90 families. RESULTS: The overall prevalences of enteroparasites were 91.6 percent (2004), 94.6 percent (2005) and 87.3 percent (2006) and did not show any significant reduction. The prevalence of some species decreased, while the prevalence of others increased significantly. High-intensity infections due to geohelminths presented rates of less than 2 percent over the study period. The proportion of the interviewees who reported using a toilet increased from 38.8 percent to 71.1 percent (p< 0.005) and the proportion taking antiparasite agents increased from 70.2 percent to 100 percent (p= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There were significant improvements in the parasitological health indicators, such as reductions in the prevalence of some species of enteroparasites and maintenance of a low parasite load, thus showing the importance of combining antiparasite treatment with sanitation improvements.

Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. In the Ivaí Indigenous Land, Brazil.

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of cysts of Giardia spp. and oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. in waters of the Ivaí Indigenous Land, Brazil. Samples of river and spring water and of treated water were filtered and analyzed by direct immunofluorescence (Merifluor kit, Meridian Bioscience, Cincinnati, Ohio). Of 21 samples, 7 from each locality, 3 (3/7, 42.8%) from a river were positive for Giardia (mean concentration 2.57 cysts/L), and 1 (1/7, 14.3%) was positive for Cryptosporidium (6 oocysts/L). From springs, 1 sample (1/7, 14.3%) was positive for Cryptosporidium (6 oocysts/L). One sample (1/7, 14.3%) from treated water was positive for both, with 4 oocysts/L and 2 cysts/L. Giardia was the more frequent protozoan present.

Intervenções pedagógicas em educação para a saúde realizadas junto aos grupos indígenas kaingang de Ivaí e Faxinal no Paraná / Pedagogic intervention in health education, developed with the Kaingang indegenous group of Ivai and Faxinal (State of Paraná)

O presente trabalho expõe experiências de intervenções pedagógicas, em Educação para a Saúde, desenvolvidas junto aos grupos indígenas Kaingang de Ivaí e Faxinal, no Paraná, em decorrência dos resultados de pesquisas na área de saúde e meio ambiente, realizadas nos anos de 2004 a 2007, por pesquisadores do Programa Interdisciplinar de Estudos de Populações, Laboratório de Arqueologia, Etnologia e Etno-História da Universidade Estadual de Maringá. As pesquisas e as intervenções pedagógicas que possibilitaram a elaboração e publicação de material pedagógico bilíngüe, Educação para a Saúde - Eg hárh keto venhkarhrán e Terra Limpa – Ga Jãnhkri, tiveram apoio do Fundo Nacional do Meio Ambiente e da Fundação Nacional de Saúde. A metodologia utilizada pautou-se na elaboração de Projetos de Trabalho, possibilitando a ampla participação de professores e estudantes das instituições educativas existentes nas Terras Indígenas. Após a publicação e divulgação do material pedagógico, organizou-se um curso de formação de professores e agentes de saúde. Estas intervenções tiveram como objetivo a divulgação de informações provenientes dos diagnósticos e formulação de ações coletivas para o controle de doenças parasitárias existentes entre estas populações, visando a melhoria das condições ambientais e de saúde das áreas. Tanto as pesquisas como as intervenções foram desenvolvidas com a ampla participação das comunidades (grupos familiares, lideranças, professores índios e não-índios, auxiliares de pesquisa e estudantes) visando ao favorecimento da aprendizagem dos estudantes indígenas e ao desenvolvimento de práticas de saúde acessíveis à comunidade.

The present work exposes experiences of pedagogic interventions in Health Education, developed with the Kaingang indigenous group of Ivaí and Faxinal in Paraná, from the results of studies in the area of health and environment, accomplished between 2004 and 2007 by researchers of the Interdisciplinary Program of Population Studies, Laboratory of Archeology, Ethnology and Ethno-history of the State University of Maringá. The research and the pedagogic interventions made the elaboration and publication of bilingual pedagogic material possible: Eg hárh ke to venhkarhrán (Health Education) and Ga Jãnhkri (Clean Earth) had support the from National Fund for the Environment and the National Health Foundation. The methodology used was basedon the elaboration of work projects that enabled wide participation from teachers and students of the existent educational institutions in the Indigenous Lands. After the publication and popularization of the pedagogic material, a course was organized for the formation of teachers and health agents. These interventions had as objective the popularization of information disclosure of the diagnoses and formulation of collective actions forcontrol of existing parasitic diseases among these populations, seeking the improvement of the environmentaland health conditions and the areas. The studies and interventions were developed with the communities (family groups, leaderships, Indian teachers and non-Indians, research assistants and students) seeking the learning improvement of the indigenous students and the development of health practices accessible to the community.

El trabajo trata las experiencias hacia intervenciones pedagógicas en Educación y Salud echas con los Kaingang del Ivaí y Faxinal en la província del Paraná despues de las investigaciones en salud y medio ambiente hechas en los anos de 2004 a 2007 por el Programa Interdisciplinar de Estudios de Populaciones enla Universidad Estadual de Maringá. Los trabajos hicieran publicar libros escolares bilíngües: Eg hárh ke tovenhkarhrán – Educación hacia la Salud y Tiera Limpia - Ga Jãnhkri, con el apoio del Fondo Nacional del Medio Ambiente y de la Fundación Nacional hacia la Salud. La metodologia utilizada fue bazada en Proyetos deTrabajo con la participación de ninos e sus profesores en las escuelas indígenas. Con la publicación de los libros se organizo un curso de formación hacia los profesores y agentes de salud. Las intervenciones mostraran las informaciones de las investigaciones hechas y formulación de acciones colectivas hacia elcontrol de enfermedades parasitologicas en estas populaciones hacia la mejoria de las condiciones ambientales y de salud en las areas. Los trabajos fueran desarrollados con la participación de las comunidades (familias,lideranzas, profesores, indígenas y non-indigenas y estudiantes) hacia el mejoramienteo de la aprendizage de los estudiantes indígenas y el desarrollo de practicas de salud acecibles a la comunidad.