PARASITOLOGY LABORATORY OPEN FOR COMMUNITY AND FIELD ACTIVITIES: INTESTINAL PARASITES DIAGNOSIS AND HEALTH PROMOTION

Introduction/purpose: Despite techno-scientific advances, intestinal parasites compose the list of public health problems in Brazil. Its high prevalence has shown evident in low-income populations to the detriment of the poor conditions of sanitation and hygiene, allied to the lack of information on transmission, enabling a greater occurrence. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of infection by intestinal parasites in children 4-6 years of age enrolled in the School Emilia de Brito Correa, Ilheus, Bahia, as well as carry out recreational and educational activities in health in the population of children and parents / guardians. Methodology: The project was carried out from November 2015 to January 2016, in which 156 collectors were distributed for children of the institution, and emphasized the importance of holding the collection of 3 samples per student. Samples were sent to the Parasitology Laboratory of the State University of Santa Cruz and submitted to fecal examination by Mariano and Carvalho method and readings in optical microscope to identify helminth and protozoan. The delivery of the sample results to parents occurred simultaneously with the health education action with children and adults.Results/Conclusion: The prevalence of infection was 77.7% in the samples, being 63.2% multiinfested frequent. The most prevalent parasitic in this population was Endolimax nana(32.6%), followed by Entamoeba coli(21.4%) and Giardia lamblia(16.3%). The most prevalent helminth was Trichuris trichiura(11.2%). Based on these results is necessary, the intensification of educational activities of this kind, aimed at improving hygiene conditions and mitigate severe cases.