Identificação da infecção por Schistosoma mansoni e enteroparasitos em uma área não endêmica para a esquistossomose em Alagoas: associação com fatores de risco e análise espacial

Abstract

Schistosomiasis mansoni and enteroparasitosis are widespread diseases and considered a major public health problem in the world. In Brazil, non-endemic areas for schistosomiasis do not have a role in the Schistosomiasis Control Program (PCE) for the diagnosis of S. mansoni and intestinal parasites. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of cases of S. mansoni and enteroparasitoses, and the association with risk factors, in the municipality of Santana do Ipanema, in the sertão of Alagoas. The study area comprised the entire urban area of the municipality of Santana do Ipanema, Alagoas. Four samples of fecal material were requested to perform the parasitological analysis of feces using the Kato-Katz and Rugai methods. All research participants were invited to answer an investigative questionnaire to collect information on social, economic and behavioral factors associated with the transmission of schistosomiasis and / or enteroparasitosis. Stool samples were collected from 227 individuals, with a positivity rate of 2.2% (n = 5) for S. mansoni, a prevalence rate of 15.8% (n = 36) for helminths and 27.3 % (n = 62) for intestinal protozoa. In the analysis of associated factors, logistic regression was shown to be significantly associated with individuals who were not born in Santana do Ipanema in infections by S. mansoni. Marital status and degree of contact with water were significantly associated with intestinal helminth infection. The degree of contact also demonstrated a significant association with infection by protozoa. The spatial distribution was heterogeneous for cases of schistosomiasis mansoni, helminths and intestinal protozooses in the urban area of the city of Santana do Ipanema. Together, the data from the present study demonstrate the relevance of surveillance in areas that are not endemic for schistosomiasis, since the identification of individuals with the disease contributes to the control of parasitosis and certainly prevents the area from becoming a focus of streaming. In addition, they reinforce the importance of implementing effective public policies for the control of parasites and health education geared to the needs of the population.