Enteroparasitosis: a health problem in residents of the mountainous area of Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction. Intestinal parasitic infections represent a major public health challenge, especially in vulnerable populations residing in rural and peri-urban areas of low- and middle-income countries. Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of enteroparasites among the inhabitants of a high-altitude community located in the Ecuadorian Andes region. Methodology. The research was descriptive, field, cross-sectional, prospective, and quantitative. The study population consisted of 252 residents of the investigated community; the sample size was determined through casual non-probabilistic sampling. A total of 46 fecal samples were collected, including 21 from male and 25 female individuals, aged between 4 and 86 years. Data collection was conducted using a structured survey and four coproparasitological sampling techniques (direct examination, Ritchie, Kato-Katz, Ziehl-Neelsen). Result. A parasitic spectrum made up of at least 11 species was detected, total parasitism reached 95.6%, protozoa (95.6%) were more frequent than helminths (2.3%) (X²=80.429; p< 0.0001), the significantly predominant parasite was Blastocystis sp. (91.3%) (X²=235.998; p<0.0001), highlighting Endolimax nana (71.7%), Entamoeba Complex (30.4%), Giardia duodenalis (15.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (6.5%) and Hymenolepis nana (2.1%). Most of the individuals were parasitized by three species (31.1%) (X²=8.622; p<0.0001). In the comparative analysis of prevalence between sexes and age groups, no significant differences could be verified. Conclusion. The prevalence of enteroparasites in the analyzed population reaching 95.6%, placing it among the highest rates recorded in the country. These results demonstrate that the rural area studied maintains inadequate conditions of hygiene and environmental sanitation, which triggers parasitic transmission in most individuals, regardless of sex and age. General study area: Clinical Laboratory. Specific study area: Parasitology. Type of study: Original article.