Differences in prevalence of geohelminth infections between indigenous and settler populations in a remote Amazonian region of Peru

Abstract

To compare prevalences of intestinal helminths and waterborne protozoa in indigenous and settler populations in a remote area of Peru. These populations live in adjacent but segregated small urban villages. Stool samples were collected from representative members of these two populations and analysed for geohelminths and protozoa. The risk of soil-transmitted helminths is significantly higher in the settler than the indigenous population in the same isolated region of Peru (OR 5.18; 95% CI 3.44-7.81; P<0.001). In contrast, the rates of protozoa presence were similar in both populations (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.77-2.14; P=0.336). Potential explanations for unexpected finding of a lower prevalence of helminths in indigenous relative to the settler population could include housing design in flood-prone areas and the use of local medicinal plants that possibly have antihelmintic properties.