Desnutrición y parasitosis en adolescentes de (12-17 años) en la población de la parroquia Punín

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine malnutrition and parasitosis in 72 adolescents (12-17 years old) in the population of Punín town. Through the application of a survey, the sociodemographic characteristics and eating habits were identified. Through laboratory tests (hemogram) and biochemical tests (total proteins and albumin), hematological alterations were determined. Finally, through the coproparasite examination, the presence of parasites was identified. This was gathered with the taking of anthropometric measurements to determine the nutritional status of the adolescents. The results obtained, regarding the nutritional status, from the 72 adolescents were that 8.3% had a low height for their age, 5.6% had a low BMI and abdominal perimeter for their age. Regarding hematological results, 5.5% of the population had low concentrations of TOH and GHB. The biochemical results showed that 5.6% of the population had hypoproteinemia and 12.5% had hypoalbuminemia. On the other hand, the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in the population was 25%, with a greater presence of Entamoeba histolytica in 15.3% and Entamoeba coli in 9.7%. With all the data obtained, it was determined that the greatest factor for the presence of malnutrition in the population was poor eating habits. Besides, the presence of parasites was directly related to poor hygiene habits and the consumption of untreated water. Finally, no association was found between intestinal parasitosis and malnutrition in the population.