Estudo qualiquantitativo sobre prevalência de parasitoses, diarreia, indicadores de saúde e socioambientais em uma área de abrangência de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde do município de Itacoatiara (AM)

Abstract

Intestinal parasite infections are considered indicators of health and socioenvironmental vulnerability and are associated with poor sanitation and quality of water in a country. They continue to pose a serious public health problem, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to analyze the causes of parasite diseases and diarrhea related to socioenvironmental factors in the population being treated at a Basic Health Unit in Itacoatiara, Amazonas State, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Informative intervention was applied in order to reduce new cases. Data were analyzed using the statistical software Epi Info™, version 7.2.3.1. We used the term diarrhea and the epidemiological variables that allowed a better outline of the profile of this condition as the search criterion. Data were treated statistically and analyzed quantitatively. D’Agostino’s K-squared test was applied. We used the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for proportion comparison between groups. Significant differences were considered when p<0.05. All the participants’ speeches were transcribed in full. Health knowledge about parasite diseases and diarrhea is incipient, and the socioenvironmental aspects increased the incidence of these diseases in the studied population. The categorized factors could not provide information on who is more responsible to reporting more cases of diarrhea and parasite diseases, but it seems clear that public authorities do not provide proper conditions so that the other aspects are improved.