ENTEROPARASITOSES EM PORTADORES DE NECESSIDADES ESPECIAIS – PREVALÊNCIA EM INDIVÍDUOS AT ENDIDOS EM INSTITUIÇÕES DO MUNICÍPIO DE PORTO ALEGRE-RS

This study evaluated the prevalence of intestinal parasites in individuals with special needs in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, in the period of March 2006 to July 2008. In addition, we held educational workshops on prevention and control of parasitic diseases. Sedimentation and flotation methods were carried out on samples from six institutions. Of 146 samples analyzed, 29 (19.9%) had intestinal parasites, of which 24 (82.7%) occurred in males and 5 (17.2%) in females. The most common organisms were Entamoeba coli in 51.7% of positive samples and Endolimax nana in 27.6%, followed by Giardia lamblia (20.7%), Trichuris trichiura (13.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (3.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (3.4%), and Hymenolepis nana (3.4%). Our findings suggest that the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the individuals studied is low, especially in relation to pathogenic organisms. The workshops did not always achieve the expected goals due to difficulties in engaging the studied group, given the individuals’ limitations. This study was considered relevant because it allowed collaborative work between the university and the community.