Prevalencia de parásitos intestinales en escolares de Limón Centro, Costa Rica

fecal samples of children from five elementary schools of the province of limón, costa rica were analyzed at the helminthology laboratory of the university of costa rica by means of direct smears and kato methods. the 898 samples were from the schools of: cieneguita (243), atilia mata (108), tomás guardia (287), los lirios (72) and limoncito (188). the results showed that 47.6% of the children were positive for parasites (pathogenic and commensal organisms). the elementary schools with the highest positivity were los lirios (71.4%) and cieneguita (63.9%). children from third and fifth grade showed the highest infection rates (20%) and the most prevalent parasites were ascaris lumbricoides (16.65), trichuris trichiura (18.6%) and lamblia intestinalis (7%). the prevalence of hookworms was 3%. the last national surveys of parasites in costa rica (1982, 1996), showed a dramatic reduction in intestinal helmintiasis and at the same time highlights that the prevalence of parasites is higher in marginal and rural communities. our results reveal deep deficiencies in life conditions and hygiene, demonstrated with the high level of fecal contamination and an inadequate disposition of stools. the present study calls the attention of the health authorities about the needs of the children population in this province, the poorest and with the highest level of unemployment in the country.