Enteric parasites and socio-epidemiological variables in an academic community

Abstract

Studies linking human health to environmental conditions are essential since parasitic diseases are connected to environmental and sanitary aspects. This study identified the prevalence of enteric parasites in an academic community in the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. The purpose was to determine the existence, or not, of links between infections and socio-epidemiological variables, such as personal hygiene habits, the presence of sewage systems and the environment. Participants answered a questionnaire and received universal collectors for fecal samples. Spontaneous sedimentation methods and Rugai were used for diagnosis. One hundred twenty-one samples were analyzed, in which a 38.8% parasite prevalence was detected as well as a 61.7% rate of monoparasitism, as well as a predominance of protozoa Endolimax nana (78.7%) and Giardia duodenalis (21.3%). Among parasitized individuals, 97.9% lived in the Recôncavo Baiano region. The following statistical significance stands out in the findings, with p<0.05: individuals who had already bathed in the local river were more likely to be parasitized than those who had not (p = 0.034) and individuals who washed their hands more frequently before meals proved to be less prone to intestinal parasitic infections (p = 0.018). Results evidenced the presence of enteric parasites in a number of participants in spite of their being university students. The socio-epidemiological variables analyzed brought to light characteristics that favor the establishment of the epidemiological infection triad, such as improper packaging of household waste on disposal and no records of regular domestic water tank cleaning. KEY WORDS: Enteric parasites; environment; diagnosis; health education.

Social and health indicators in an academic community: enteroparasites, nutritional, allergic and clinical aspects

“…For the species, the following absolut frequencies were found: Endolimax nana (n=37); Giardia duodenalis (n=10); Entamoeba coli (n=9); Entamoeba histolytica (n=7); Iodamoeba butschlii (n=4); Trichostrongylus sp (n=1); and hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale/Necator americanus) (n=1). These data highlight the predominance of infections by protozoa and the finding of the Trichostrongylus sp helminth, a not very frequent finding in the region 15 .…”

“…In a study conducted with Japanese food handlers in João Pessoa (Paraíba, Brazil), the occurrence of 16.6% of Trichostrongylus sp 29 was identified, concomitantly with this, in Imperatriz (Maranhão, Brazil), parasitic forms of this helminth were identified in coriander sold at open market s34 . Moreover, using animal feces as fertilizers, mainly from ruminants, may be another risk factor for this helminthiasis 35 , a fact attributed to this study with individuals from a higher education center in the interior of Bahia 15 .…”

“…Data from 121 individuals (92 undergraduate students, 05 professors, 05 administrative technicians, and 19 employees of outsourced companies/service providers) were analyzed, as presented in the initial data by Souza Passos et al 15 (Figure 1A).…”

Adding functional properties to beer with jasmine tea extract

“…For each taster, a 40 ml sample of the beer was served in a disposable, clear, acrylic glass. The tasters evaluated the aroma, taste, foam, appearance and overall score using a nine point hedonic scale form, where 1 = dislike strongly; 5 = neither like, nor dislike; and 9 = like strongly (35). A second four level scale (not sensed, faintly sensed, mildly sensed, and strongly sensed) was used to grade bitter and astringent tastes, and malty aroma, fruital aroma, floral aroma, and fresh-scent aroma.…”

Amoebiasis in One Health Perspective

“…It is important to note that these home remedies should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment, but rather as a complementary therapy to help alleviate symptoms and speed up the recovery process. If patient is experiencing symptoms of amebiasis, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible (Mishra 2020;Passos et al 2021).…”