Intestinal parasites in schoolchildren of Minga Guazú 2025

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitosis is more prevalent in school-aged children and can affect their learning, growth, and development. Objective: To prevent intestinal parasitosis in children at Basic School No. 2963, Km 14 Monday, through timely detection and prevention. Methodology: An outreach project was conducted in collaboration with teachers and students from FACISA-UNE at a school in Minga Guazú. Parents of the students collected serial stool samples, which were processed at the CIM (Center for Medical Research). Results: Fourteen children participated, 50% of whom were male, with a mean age of 6.5 years. Ninety-two percent of the children did not present any symptoms consistent with parasitosis in the weeks prior to sample collection. Sixty-four percent consumed well water, 100% had a modern bathroom, and 50% reported having a dog as a pet at home. In 92% (13/14) of the samples, vacuolated forms of Blastocystis spp. were observed, 42% (6/14) Entamoeba coli, 14% (2/14) Endolimax nana, and 7% (1/14) Giardia duodenalis. The children's parents participated in an informational session on food safety, proper cooking techniques, and guidance on consulting a doctor with the laboratory results. Conclusion: Parasites were identified in more than half of the sample; only one child reported having experienced symptoms related to parasitosis in recent weeks.