FACTORES RELACIONADOS A LAS INFECCIONES POR ENTEROPARÁSITOS EN UNA COMUNIDAD RURAL Y OTRA PERIURBANA DE LA REGIÓN CENTRAL DE VENEZUELA.

The present study proposed to relate the socio-epidemiological factors and the infections by enteroparasites in two communities, one peri-urban and one rural in the Central Region of Venezuela. A total of 126 persons were evaluated in the peri-urban area and 111 in the rural one. Feces were analyzed through a direct examination, in addition to the methods of Kato, Faust and Baermann. Socio-epidemiological factors were identified through a survey. The prevalence of enteroparasites within the peri-urban community was 45.2% and 53.3% in the rural one. An estimated 23.0% of the peri-urban population presented protozoa and 0.4% helminths, while in the rural area 30.6% of persons presented protozoa and 12.6% helminths, being Giardia intestinalis (9.5%) the most frequent species of protozoa. As for the chromist kingdom, Blastocystis spp., highlighted in both communities. In relation to the helminths, Trichuris trichiura and Enterobius vermicularis were detected in the peri-urban and Ascaris lumbricoides in the rural one. The associated variables (p < 0.05) with the presence of enteroparasites in the peri-urban were: degree of instruction, housing conditions, quality of drinking water, hygienic habits, streetfood intake and presence of vectors; in the rural community: type of disposition of excreta, washing of hands and consumption of street-food. The findings revealed a high prevalence of enteroparasites in both communities, evidencing that they shared common socio-epidemiological characteristics that favored their acquisition. The results point out the need to implement epidemiological control and surveillance actions that improve the quality of life of the communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]