FRECUENCIA DE Blastocystis hominis Y FACTORES DE RIESGO EN ESCOLARES DE LA PARROQUIA EL CUJI. ESTADO LARA

We determined the frequency of intestinal parasites and risk factors in school children of the parish Cuji, Barquisimeto, Lara State, from march to september 2011, students were distributed according to the presence and type of parasitism, sex, age, socioeconomic status, use of water and salads also investigated the water contamination and the lettuce purchased by the community. We performed a cross-sectional study with 232 students, selected by simple probability sampling. Informed consent, the representatives held a survey related to the objectives and requested a stool sample for analysis by direct examination with saline, iodine, and Kato, Quensel. Were parasitized 36.6% of those tested, being more frequent in children of 12 years (16.5%) and predominantly in females (57.6%) The most frequent species was Blastocystis hominis with 68.2%. Parasites, 71.8% were monoparasitism, 72.9% belonged to Stratum IV as Graffar, and 69.4% consumed raw salads. Only 20% were contaminated lettuce. There was no difference with respect to non-parasitized according to socioeconomic status, water consumption and raw salads, perhaps due to the homogeneity of these risk factors in this community. But highlights the high prevalence of protozoa and the high frequency of monoparasitism. The findings of this research will open the way for future studies and the creation of educational and preventive programs.