Presence of protozoans and helminths in quilombola children from Agreste region of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil / Presença de protozoários e helmintos em crianças que residem em comunidades quilombolas, localizadas na cidade de Garanhuns, Pernambuco

The aim of this research was to verify the occurrence of intestinal parasites in children aged between two and twelve years in four quilombola communities located in the city of Garanhuns, Pernambuco. The investigation was carried out between August 2008 and July 2009. Five visits were made to the communities in order to analyze the environmental sanitation, personal hygiene and socio-economic conditions of the families. After that, fecal samples were collected from 115 children from the communities to perform the coproparasitological exams, using the method of Hoffman, Pons & Janer to search for larvae or eggs of helminths and protozoan cysts. From this, a general prevalence of 51.30% of enteroparasitosis was evidenced in the samples collected, identifying six species of protozoa and four of helminths. Thus, it was concluded that there is a need to monitor the health conditions of this population and the continuous search for sanitary improvements, in the offer of antiparasitic treatment and in health education