Contribution to the Diagnostic Study of Intestinal Parasitosis, Haiti

Abstract

Parasitic intestinal diseases are widespread in the world with a higher prevalence in developing countries. They are generally a serious public health problem in tropical countries. In October 2020, a cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients visiting Fermathe Hospital in Haiti. Data were collected on stool results with the presence of parasites and we used systematic sampling for further information regarding patients with parasitology problems. A summary field survey was also carried out in the surrounding areas with more cases recorded such as Corail, Calbasse, Fort Jacques, Center / Marché Kenscoff, Doco, and Douret for direct observations of the inventory and voluntary interviews with the residents of the area on hygiene practices. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 31.26% and the most common species were: Endolimax nana (39.13%), followed by Blastocystis hominis (14%), Blastocystis hominis / Giardia intestinales (12.07%), Entamoeba coli (5.31%), and others like Iodamoeba butschlii, Ascaris lumbricoides or combined parasites were less than 5%. The field survey revealed a strong relationship between parasitosis and drinking water, parasitosis, and place of defecation. Although there are health centers in the area, many people use self-medication or empiric therapy. The study highlights the important causes of gastrointestinal disorders that present themselves in this hospital and confirms intestinal parasitosis as a major public health problem in Haiti.

Socio-economic factors associated with open defecation among agricultural households: a cross-sectional study in Haiti

“…Efforts to reduce OD often face sociocultural barriers, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. 17 These barriers connect community characteristics to individual behaviours, particularly when there is social pressure that can create compliance to local non-sanitary rules of behaviour. 21 Empirical studies conducted in India, Nepal and sub-Saharan Africa have confirmed the links between sociocultural norms and OD.…”

Socio-economic and demographic factors influencing open defecation in Haiti: a cross-sectional study

“…Several comprehensive disease burden studies, focusing mainly on diarrheal diseases stress that inadequate drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are important risk factors [ 8 , 13 , 16 ]. In Haiti, for instance, intestinal nematodes are frequent [ 17 , 18 ], transmitted through fecal contamination of the environment, they have been attributed to intestinal blood loss leading to iron deficiency anemia and protein malnutrition in developing countries [ 6 , 15 ].…”

Enfoque epidemiológico de la parasitosis intestinal en menores de 2 a 17 años atendidos en laboratorio privado de la ciudad de Chone.

“…En otro estudio, se estableció que la parasitosis intestinal prevalece en países subdesarrollados como Ecuador y afecta mayormente a la población infantil debido a su inmadurez inmunológica y malos hábitos de higiene, mismo en el que la prevalencia de esta infección fue del 45.31% en menores, donde los principales factores de riesgo fueron el inadecuado lavado de manos y alimentos, consumo de agua de baja calidad y realización de labores que implica contacto directo con tierra contaminada (Cuenca-León et al, 2021). Se estima que esta infección está extendida por todo el mundo, pero con más frecuencia en países en vías de desarrollo y donde generan una importante morbilidad, sin embargo, en los países desarrollados incrementa su incidencia debido al aumento de los viajes a zonas endémicas, la inmigración y la adopción internacional (Michel et al, 2021). En cuanto al tipo de parásitos encontrados en los reportes de esta investigación, se observa que existe mayor presencia de Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica y otros protozoarios en comparación con helmintos y céstodos.…”