Geospatial analysis and prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and soil‐transmitted helminth infections in an endemic area in Eastern Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesThis study evaluated the occurrence of Schistosoma mansoni and soil‐transmitted helminths in an endemic area in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon, analysing prevalence and spatial distribution.MethodsThe study was conducted in four localities of Primavera Municipality, in Pará state. Data was obtained from the Decit 40/2012 project and the participants were divided into five age range categories for evaluation: children, adolescents, young adults, adults and elderly individuals. For the diagnostic tests, Kato–Katz slides were prepared to detect S. mansoni and soil‐transmitted helminths eggs. The spatial distribution map and the Kernel Density Estimation were performed to assess the presence and location of infections.ResultsStool samples revealed the presence of hookworms, S. mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura eggs. Mono‐, bi‐ and poly‐parasitic infections were observed, with a significant prevalence of hookworm monoparasitism.ConclusionsThe high frequency of children infected with soil‐transmitted helminths confirms their significance as an ongoing public health problem in the poorest municipalities of Brazil. The Geographic Information System plays a crucial role in environmental surveillance and in the control of epidemics and endemic diseases, enabling accurate assessment and informed decision‐making for their control.