2nd Edition of Public Health World Conference (PHWC) 2026

Abstract

After 14 years of a national survey of intestinal parasitic infections in Cuba in general population, it was necessary to update the knowledge of this topic in the most vulnerable group: children from 1 to 14 years of age in order to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and its relationship with clinical and epidemiological characteristics. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2023 to February 2024 in all provinces of Cuba. A total of 19.000 children were part of the investigation. A stool sample was taken for each child, which was processed by three parasitological techniques: direct wet mount, flotation and Kato-Katz techniques. A questionnaire was completed to collect clinical-epidemiological data of interest. Univariate analysis was employed to determine factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 29.5 % (95 % CI: 28.9-30.2). The most frequent intestinal parasites were Blastocystis spp. (12.8 %) and Giardia duodenalis (8.6 %). Helminths were in a low frequency with Enterobius vermicularis being the most frequently detected (0.64%). Central region showed the higher value of prevalence (37.1%) compared with eastern (27.5%) and western provinces (25.1%). The distribution pattern of intestinal parasites varied among regions. It was evidenced that eating unwashed vegetables, sucking thumb, biting fingernails and walking barefoot were statistically associated with a higher risk of being infected with intestinal parasites. School children were more commonly infected with the majority of intestinal parasites of medical importance compared with preschool children (P < 0.05).  Infections by intestinal parasites have a moderate prevalence around the country. Protozoan parasites, mainly Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis, prevailed as the most frequently detected. Several risk factors were identified which emphasize a periodical evaluation of the local prevalence in order adapt appropriate control strategies in the areas of higher prevalence.