Dados do Trabalho

Título

Tracking Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Salvador: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study Highlighting Public Health Needs

Introdução

Enteroparasitoses, a subgroup of Neglected Tropical Diseases, remains a pressing public health challenge, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation. These diseases are predominantly caused by soil-transmitted helminths, including Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, and hookworms. In Salvador, Bahia, the struggle to control these infections persists due to ongoing deficiencies in sanitation infrastructure and healthcare access, which sustain the transmission of intestinal parasites.

Objetivo (s)

This study aims to estimate the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths among individuals attending a reference laboratory in Salvador, specifically the Clinical and Toxicological Analysis Laboratory of the Faculty of Pharmacy (LACTFAR/UFBA). Additionally, it provides a comprehensive statistical analysis over the period from 2012 to 2023.

Material e Métodos

Data were retrospectively analyzed from parasitological examinations conducted at LACTFAR between 2012 and 2023. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v. 29.0.10. 

Resultados e Conclusão

A total of 1,902 individuals tested positive for at least one soil-transmitted helminth during the study period. The median age of the population was 37 years (IQR: 19–56 years), with a female-to-male ratio of 1.3:1. Monoinfections were identified in 1,289 individuals (67.8%), with A. lumbricoides in 458 cases, T. trichiura in 424 cases, hookworms in 406 cases, and S. stercoralis in one case. Coinfections were observed in 584 individuals (30.7%) with two parasites and in 29 individuals (1.5%) with three parasites. Dual infections involving A. lumbricoides and other parasites were observed in 16 individuals with hookworms, 504 with S. stercoralis, and 41 with T. trichiura. Duals infections between hookworms and T. trichiura were identified in 23 individuals. No dual infections were recorded between hookworms and T. trichiura and between S. stercoralis and T. trichiura. All cases involving three parasites included A. lumbricoides, with 24 of these also involving hookworms. Temporal analysis revealed a peak in infections in 2014 (357 cases), followed by a marked decline to 12 cases in 2020. The reduction was particularly pronounced during 2020–2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions and improvements in sanitation and hygiene to reduce the burden of enteroparasitoses in this population.

Palavras Chave

Soil-transmitted helminths; Public health; Temporal distribution; Epidemiology; Salvador