Demographic and social studies, as well as economic and cultural factors in a community are important regarding public health. This study identified demographic, socioeconomic and cultural aspects correlated with intestinal parasites in the population of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia-Brazil, from July to October 2015. 53 semi-structured questionnaires were applied to the rural population of the municipality with previous clarification on the purpose of the study. There were questions related to the individual’s gender, family income and parental level of education. Laboratory parasitological analyzes were performed to investigate enteroparasites and produced the following results: 53.7% (n=58) were female; 62.8% (n=66) with monthly family income lower or equal to the minimum wage and 48% (n=48) of adults with incomplete basic education. The main enteroparasites found in this population were: Iodamoeba butschlii, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar complex, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana in addition to some geohelminths, such as hookworms and Enterobius vermicularis. The profile visualized can be understood as a risk factor for the development of certain parasitic infections that are intrinsically associated to the social and economic aspects of vulnerable populations.KEY WORDS: Teenager; adult; child; parasitic diseases.

Microbiological and parasitological contamination of vegetables, water and soil in rural communities of a municipality in the state of Bahia, Brazil, was assessed. Samples of Lactuca sativa, L., Coriandrum sativum and Solanum lycopersicum, soil, and irrigation water were analyzed between August and October, 2015. Total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli, molds and yeasts on vegetables, soil and water, heterotrophic bacteria in water and soil were counted. Parasitological analyses were performed by spontaneous sedimentation method and by Rugai technique for vegetables and soil and by direct and Faust exams for water. Physical and chemical analyses included pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. TC counts were higher in lettuce samples (mean 2.8 log CFU g -1 ). E. coli counts did not comply with legislation in a lettuce sample with 3.3 log CFU g -1 . TC had the highest counts, with mean between 3.7 and 4.9 log CFU g -1 in soil samples. All water samples showed poor conditions and most samples were positive for at least one parasite. Due to high microbial density and several parasite types in most samples, results showed poor sanitary quality of vegetables with health risks for people. It is crucial to invest in educational activities for handlers and farmers so that a better vegetable quality could be offered to the population. More efficient monitoring is required by health authorities, requiring periodic assessments for parasites so that consumers may have a better life quality.