Gastrointestinal parasites impose a great and often silent burden of morbidity and mortality on poor populations in developing countries. Veron, Dominican Republic (DR), is a rural city in the southeastern corner of the country where many Dominicans and Haitians migrate to for work in support and expansion of the tourist industry of Punta Cana. Few studies of the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections have been published in the DR. Presently, there is a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections throughout the poorest areas of the DR and Haiti. This study investigated the prevalence of GI protozoan and helminth parasites from children at the Rural Clinic of Veron during 2008. Participants provided a fecal sample that was examined microscopically for protozoan and helminth parasites using the fecal flotation technique to concentrate and isolate helminth ova and protozoan cysts. Of 108 fecal samples examined, 107 were positive for one or more parasites. Participant ages ranged from 2 to 15 years; 52 were males and 56 were females. Percent infection rates were 48.2% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 13.9% for Enterobius vermicularis, 24.1% for Entamoeba histolytica, and 22.2% for Giardia intestinalis. 9.3% had double infections. A survey of subject characteristics and risk factors was completed by each parent/guardian. Any plan to reduce GI parasites in children of this region will require a determined effort between international, national, and local health authorities combined with improved education of schools, child care providers, food handlers, and agricultural workers. A special effort must be made to reach out to immigrants and those not part of the public education system and to address microbial water quality. / Ph. D.

Introducción. El estado nutricional de los individuos es considerado un valioso indicador del estado de salud de la población, así como también del accionar de factores socio-económicos y ambientales. Objetivos: Analizar la relación entre el estado nutricional, las enteroparasitosis y las condiciones socioambientales en niños de Aristóbulo del Valle, Misiones. Métodos. Estudio antropométrico transversal y parasitológico en niños de ambos sexos y entre 6 a 11 años de escuelas públicas del Municipio de Aristóbulo del Valle. Para el análisis de desnutrición se utilizó como referencia CDC/NCHS y para exceso de peso IOTF. El análisis parasitológico se realizó mediante la toma de muestras seriadas de materia fecal y escobillado anal. El relevamiento de las condiciones socio-ambientales se realizó mediante encuestas estructuradas. Resultados. El estado nutricional indicó mayor desnutrición crónica (7,5%) que global y aguda y mayor sobrepeso (9,8%) respecto a obesidad. Los niños presentaron alto porcentaje de parasitismo (86%) y las especies más prevalentes fueron Blastocystis hominis, Enterobius vermicularis y Giardia lamblia. La mayoría de las familias de estos niños habitaban viviendas de chapa y madera, con limitado acceso a servicios públicos, altos niveles de desempleo y padres con un nivel educativo básico. / Introduction: The study of the growth and nutritional status of the individuals is considered an important sign of the population health, as well as the action of socio-economic and environmental factors. Objectives: To analyze the relationship among the nutritional status, enteroparasitoses and socio-environmental conditions in children from Aristóbulo del Valle, Misiones. Methods: A cross-sectional anthropometrical and parasitological study was made in children from both sexes between 6 to 11 years old of public school from Municipality of Aristóbulo del Valle. NCHS was employed as reference in the analysis of undernutrition, and IOTF for the excess of weight. The parasitological analysis was realized by faecal samples and anal brushes. Socio-environmental conditions were evaluated through structured interviews. Results: The nutritional status indicated higher chronic undernutrition (7.5%) than underweight and wasting, and higher overweight than obesity (9.8%). Children showed high percentage of parasitism (86%) and Blastocystis hominis, Enterobius vermicularis and Giardia lamblia were the more prevalent species. Most families of these children live in precarious constructions made out of wood and/or masonry, with limited access to public services, high unemployment levels and a basic educational level of parents. Conclusions: The results obtained indicate the impact of the socio-economic, educational and sanitary impairment, in the children health from a sector Aristóbulo del Valle population, that entails to the coexistence of undernutrition, overweight and parasitic infections.