Intestinal parasitosis and risk factors in children from province of Mayabeque
Keywords:
children; intestinal parasites; diagnosis; prevalence; MayabequeAbstract
Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in the pediatric population worldwide, particularly in developing countries. In Cuba, it is important to update information on this topic, given that 14 years have passed since the last national survey of intestinal parasitism in the general population.Objective: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and risk factors in children of the Mayabeque provinceMethods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1000 children from September, to December, 2023. One stool sample was analyzed from each child and processed using three parasitological techniques. Relevant clinical and epidemiological data were collected using a validated questionnaire.Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 22.6% (95.0% CI: 20.0–25.2). Children from the municipalities of San Nicolás de Bari (36.7%), San José de la Lajas (31.0%), and Jaruco (25.0%) had the highest prevalence rates. Blastocystis spp. (10.2%) and Giardia duodenalis (7.9%) were the most frequently diagnosed species. No risk factors associated with an increased risk of intestinal parasite infection were identified in the children studied. A statistically significant association was found between G. duodenalis infection and the clinical manifestation of diarrhea.Conclusions: It is necessary to continue and improve educational campaigns and hygiene and sanitation habits in the province, especially in the municipalities with the highest incidence of intestinal parasitosis.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Noelvis Hernández Martínez, Anadieska Molina Abad, Delmis Pantoja Viamonte, Fidel Ángel Núñez Fernández, Luis Enrique Jerez Puebla
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