A survey of intestinal parasites including associated risk factors in humans in Panama

A survey of intestinal parasites including associated risk factors in humans in Panama.

Sandoval NR, Ríos N, Mena A, Fernández R, Perea M, Manzano-Román R, Santa-Quiteria JA, Hernández-Gonzalez A, Siles-Lucas M.

Acta Trop. 2015 Jul;147:54-63. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.03.024. Epub 2015 Mar 28.

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide, leading to illness with serious and long lasting implications in children and immunocompromised people. Panama is a country where climate and social conditions could be reflected in a high number of people infected with intestinal parasites. We conducted a cross-sectional survey between

2008 and 2010 to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites across Panama. A questionnaire to identify risk factors associated with the frequency of intestinal parasites in the study population was also performed. Overall, 47.4% of human samples presented parasites. Variables including community type, age group, occupation, co-presence of commensals and socioeconomic factors (use of shoes and type of sanitation) were significantly associated with intestinal parasites. The preliminary data obtained in this study place intestinal parasitism as a major health problem in this country.