Abstract
Introduction: Intestinal parasitosis are a public health problem worldwide. There are several risk factors and a high association with some specific labor activities. Objective: The present study assessed the risk factors and prevalence of enteroparasitic diseases in shellfish pickers from one district of Maceió, Alagoas state, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 41 female shellfish pickers including parasitological tests in fecal samples and a questionnaire with objective and subjective questions. Sand samples from their working environment were also analyzed. Results: At least one species of parasite was found in 19.51% of the fecal samples. Pathogenic species of Giardia lamblia, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, from the Ancylostomatidae family, and non-pathogenic species of Entamoeba coli were found. Polyparasitism was diagnosed in 37.5% of the positive samples. A total of 57.14% of sand samples contained hookworm larvae. Regarding the risk factor, low educational level was statistically associated to the presence of parasites (p<0.05). Conclusion: Greater investment in basic education is needed to increase the knowledge about preventive measures against parasitic diseases and the promotion food-handling courses in order to change existing inadequate habits in the community. Basic sanitation is also essential in preventing environmental contamination.
Highlights
Intestinal parasitosis are a public health problem worldwide
Most of the shellfish pickers lived in the same fishing community neighborhood (85.35%), whereas 14.63% were from adjacent neighborhoods
The biggest city shored by Mundaú Lake has only 19% of the houses with basic sanitation and, waste can be disposed in the Mundaú Lake and urban rivers[14]
Summary
Intestinal parasitosis are a public health problem worldwide. There are several risk factors and a high association with some specific labor activities. Methods: Crosssectional study of 41 female shellfish pickers including parasitological tests in fecal samples and a questionnaire with objective and subjective questions. Sand samples from their working environment were analyzed. The shellfish picking is a manual fishing technique in Brazil, exerted mainly by women called “marisqueiras”, who harvest shrimp, “sururu”, oyster, soft crab, and crab[10] Shellfish pickers work both for subsistence and commercial purposes, being responsible for their own equipment and all the production stages[11], from preparing the materials for shellfish harvesting to selling of the final product. These stages are conducted at home, and in peridomestic and extradomestic environments[12]
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