Intestinal parasites in Mexico are an endemic problem. A study was conducted in children, teenagers and adults in a rural community in Colima, Mexico to examine the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides infection and to evaluate the parasitological and clinical efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ). Two hundred and eighty children, teenagers and adults participated in this study. Parasitological diagnosis from faeces was confirmed by three consecutive stool samples using the floatation concentration Faust method. Egg counts were performed as described by the Kato-Katz technique before and after treatment. A questionnaire was systematically applied to obtain information about socio-economic status and hygienic habits. One hundred and six participants (38%) were diagnosed as harbouring intestinal parasites, and 86 of them (81%) were infected with A. lumbricoides. All patients with ascariasis infections underwent a complete physical examination before and after NTZ treatment. NTZ resolved 88% of the ascariasis cases, with a 89% clinical efficacy, and there was a 97.5% reduction in the levels of morbidity. The most intense infections for A. lumbricoides were found in housewives, and statistically significant associations were found between ascariasis and the absence of drainage and living in houses with dirt floors.

This study suggests that the incorporation of a pharmacotherapeutic optimization plan for patients with chronic diseases can have a positive impact on the control of chronic diseases, such as T2DM and hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were (1) to determine the change in patients' knowledge about their disease and treatment; (2) to assess the percent change in values of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and change in blood pressure in mmHg; and (3) to evaluate adherence status, measured through pill counts. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted using patients with a diagnosis of both T2DM and hypertension at Arauco hospital in Arauco, Chile. Each patient participated in three interviews over a period of six months. The study incorporated a tailored pharmacotherapeutic intervention plan that included written and oral information regarding pathologies and pharmacological treatment. To determine treatment adherence, a pill count method was performed during each interview. Change in patient adherence and knowledge of the diseases and treatments was assessed using the Fisher exact test. The difference in HbA1c and blood pressure between the initial and final sessions was evaluated using Student's t-test. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 17. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were selected, of whom 33 (66%) were female. At the beginning of the program, 30% of patients were found to be adherent. At the end of the study, this number had increased to 46% (p-value: 0.099). 10% of patients had full knowledge of their disease at baseline. At the end of the study, this number had increased to 66% (p-value < 0.001). After the completion of the interviews, significant decreases were observed for HbA1c (p-value < 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (p-value < 0.001). Stratified by sex, stronger and more significant decreases were observed for females in terms of both HbA1c (0.63%, p-value= 0.003) and systolic blood pressure (17 mmHg, p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A pharmacotherapeutic optimization plan based on improved patient adherence and knowledge and implemented for patients with chronic conditions, such as T2DM and hypertension, has had a positive impact on therapeutic outcomes.