Hygienic knowledge and habits on intestinal parasitism in children. Community “Pepita de Oro”. Ecuador. 2015-2016

Abstract

Introduction: the infections caused by intestinal parasitism are considered a health problem because of their high prevalence rates. Child population is the most affected one. The community “Pepita de Oro” does not scape this reality.
Objective: to evaluate hygienic habits and knowledge on intestinal parasitism in 1-9 years-old in that community.
Materials and methods: An observational, correlational and cross-sectional study was carried out in the urban marginal community “Pepita de Oro” from the city Tena, in the Ecuadorian Amazonia, in the period from August 2015 to September 2016. 50 family fathers applied a survey and coproparasitical tests were made to their 50 children, after obtaining the previous consent. The following variables were worked out: sex, age, kind of parasitism, water supply, water treatment, hygienic conditions, knowledge on intestinal parasitism and hygienic norms. 
Results: it was found that the habit of washing hands before eating was high, 94 %; washing hands after going to the toilet was 88 %. According to the results of the coproparasitical tests, the highest percent of children was found poliparasitized, with 77 % and 23 % were monoparasitized. The age group that was most affected by mono-parasitism was the 5-9 years-old group, with 18 %, while the 1-4 years-old group was the most affected with poliparasitism. 60 % was evaluated with parasitism and lack of knowledge on the different hygienic norms.
Conclusions: hygienic habits knowledge and practice were poor and there is a prevalence of parasitism.