Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Risk Factors in Children in Holguín

Authors

  • Adonis Chacón Chacón Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y MIcrobiología de Holguín
  • Yamisleidis Silva Díaz Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y MIcrobiología de Holguín
  • Yuniesky Cruz González Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y MIcrobiología de Holguín
  • Eduardo Luis Cruz Calzadilla Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y MIcrobiología de Holguín
  • Yosvany Anache Columbié
  • Alexander Jesús Medina González Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y MIcrobiología de Holguín
  • Ernesto Carmenates Ricardo
  • María de los Ángeles Venero León Minsap
  • Delmis Pantoja Viamonte Minsap
  • Dora Emma Ginorio Gavito Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri
  • Delmis Álvarez Gainza Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri
  • Waldemar Baldoquín Rodríguez Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri
  • Fidel Ángel Núñez Fernández Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri
  • Luis Enrique Jerez Puebla Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri

Keywords:

claves, niños, parásitos intestinales, diagnóstico, prevalencia, Holguín

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections are widely distributed worldwide. Ecological niches where these entities are highly prevalent have been reported in Cuba.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and risk factors in children in Holguín province.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2023 in 1,500 children in Holguín province. A stool sample from each child was analyzed and processed using three parasitological techniques. A questionnaire was completed to collect clinical-epidemiological data of interest.

Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 42.3%. The most common intestinal parasites were Blastocystis spp (20.6%), Giardia lamblia (6.3%), and Enterobius vermicularis (1.4%). The Cueto municipality had the highest prevalence of intestinal parasite infections (67.5%). Overall, children infected with Blastocystis spp. and intestinal parasites were more likely to report poor appetite compared to those not infected. Children infected with Giardia lamblia had a higher risk of abdominal pain. Eating unwashed vegetables was associated with a higher risk of infection in the children studied.

Conclusions: High prevalence of intestinal parasites was identified at the provincial level. The data show the need to implement measures to prevent intestinal parasites, promote education, and continue these studies.

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Author Biography

Adonis Chacón Chacón, Centro Provincial de Higiene Epidemiología y MIcrobiología de Holguín

Parasitología

Published

2025-09-03

How to Cite

1.
Chacón Chacón A, Silva Díaz Y, Cruz González Y, Cruz Calzadilla EL, Anache Columbié Y, Medina González AJ, et al. Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Risk Factors in Children in Holguín. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [Internet]. 2025 Sep. 3 [cited 2025 Sep. 8];51:e_24756. Available from: https://revsaludpublica.sld.cu/index.php/spu/article/view/24756