Prevalence of intestinal parasites of the human population in the City of Pombal-PB, Brazil

The intestinal parasitic diseases caused by protozoa and helminths are infestations that may trigger changes in the physical, psychosomatic and social state of patients, directly interfering with their quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the major intestinal parasites causing diseases that are distributed in the City of Pombal-PB, either in endemic or epidemic form, and to observe the incidence/prevalence and factors that favor the proliferation of these parasites so that they can be diagnosed, controlled or treated. The study was developed by quantitative method. The data were collected from sample collection made in the Diagnosis Health Unit Laboratory of Dr. Avelino Elias Queiroga in the City of Pombal-PB. They were stored in medical records used in internal control from January 2012 to December 2013. From a total of 3,144 surveys analyzed, 29% had parasites (Endolimax nana the most common protozoan with 35.72% and Hymenolepis nana with 0.29% among helminthes).  Among the results of positive tests for parasites, 8% had poliparasitose frame, 53% had monoparasitose and 39% had biparasitose. The results of this study demonstrate the need for the population to be aware of the importance of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of positive cases. Key words: Intestinal parasitosis, prevalence, helminths, protozoa.