Pascoal Torres Muniz

Prevalence and spatial distribution of intestinal parasitic infections in a rural Amazonian settlement, Acre State, Brazil

A population-based survey of the prevalence and spatial distribution of intestinal parasitism was carried out in an agricultural settlement in the Amazon Basin of Brazil (Granada, Acre State). More than half (53.4%) of the 429 stool specimens from subjects in all age groups, living in 113 households, had cysts, ova, or larvae of intestinal parasites. The most prevalent parasites were Giardia duodenalis (19.6%) and soil-transmitted helminths (12.7%); 105 (24.5%) subjects were infected with more than one species of parasite. Significant age-related differences in prevalence were only found for G. duodenalis (children 30 years were less affected). Six households (5.3%), situated within a radius of 690m, comprised 48.1% of all subjects harboring soil-transmitted helminths in our study area. Households within this cluster were poorer and more crowded than those outside the cluster. The observed spatial clustering of infections with soil-transmitted helminths provides valuable information for the spatial targeting of sanitary interventions in this area.

Child health and nutrition in the Western Brazilian Amazon: population-based surveys in two counties in Acre State

The article presents prevalence rates for malnutrition, intestinal parasitic infections, anemia, and iron deficiency in under-five children in a population-based cross-sectional survey performed in the urban area of two counties in the Western Brazilian Amazon, Assis Brasil (n = 200) and Acrelandia (n = 477). Available data included: (a) weight and height measurements, standardized as z-scores using the 1977 NCHS reference population, (b) diagnosis of current intestinal parasitic infection, (c) blood hemoglobin levels, and (d) plasma ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor levels. Overall prevalence rates of low weight-for-height, low weight-for-age, and low height-for-age were 3.7%, 8.7%, and 7.5%, respectively, with similar figures in the two towns. Intestinal parasites were detected in 32.5% children; helminths were uncommon. Anemia and iron deficiency were diagnosed in 30.6% and 43.5% of the children, respectively. Evidence of anemia was found in only 47.6% of the children with depleted iron reserves, indicating that hemoglobin measurement alone would severely underestimate the magnitude of iron deficiency in this population. In both towns, anemia and malnutrition were significantly more prevalent among children in the lowest socioeconomic stratum.

Underlying Factors Associated with Anemia in Amazonian Children: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study

Background Although iron deficiency is considered to be the main cause of anemia in children worldwide, other contributors to childhood anemia remain little studied in developing countries. We estimated the relative contributions of different factors to anemia in a population-based, cross-sectional survey. Methodology We obtained venous blood samples from 1111 children aged 6 months to 10 years living in the frontier town of Acrelândia, northwest Brazil, to estimate the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency by measuring hemoglobin, erythrocyte indices, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, and C-reactive protein concentrations. Children were simultaneously screened for vitamin A, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies; intestinal parasite infections; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; and sickle cell trait carriage. Multiple Poisson regression and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were used to describe associations between anemia and the independent variables. Principal Findings The prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were 13.6%, 45.4%, and 10.3%, respectively. Children whose families were in the highest income quartile, compared with the lowest, had a lower risk of anemia (aPR, 0.60; 95%CI, 0.37–0.98). Child age (<24 months, 2.90; 2.01–4.20) and maternal parity (>2 pregnancies, 2.01; 1.40–2.87) were positively associated with anemia. Other associated correlates were iron deficiency (2.1; 1.4–3.0), vitamin B12 (1.4; 1.0–2.2), and folate (2.0; 1.3–3.1) deficiencies, and C-reactive protein concentrations (>5 mg/L, 1.5; 1.1–2.2). Conclusions Addressing morbidities and multiple nutritional deficiencies in children and mothers and improving the purchasing power of poorer families are potentially important interventions to reduce the burden of anemia.

Intestinal parasitic infections in young children in São Paulo, Brazil: prevalences, temporal trends and associations with physical growth

Abstract The prevalences of intestinal parasitic infections were investigated, between 1995 and 1996, in a household-based sample of 1044 children aged <5 years who lived in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Only 10.7% of the children were infected, the most prevalent parasites being Giardia duodenalis (5.5%), Ascaris lumbricoides (4.4%) and Trichuris trichiura (1.0%). A comparison between these data and results from two previous population-based surveys, completed in São Paulo in 1974 and 1985, revealed a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of intestinal helminths in this age-group, with less marked changes in the prevalence of Giardia, over the two past decades. Despite the low prevalence of malnutrition (2.4% of stunting and 0.6% of wasting) and intestinal parasites in this population, there was a significant association (P=0.05, after controlling for potential confounding variables) between helminth (but not Giardia) infection and height. The helminth-infected children had a mean height-for-age z-score of–0.412 [95% confidence interval (CI)=–0.637––0.186], compared with one of 0.015 (CI=–0.049-0.079) for the non-infected children. No significant relationship between intestinal parasitic infection and childrens weight was detected. In conclusion, a small but significant negative relationship between intestinal helminthic infections and childrens growth was detected in an urban environment with low prevalences of both intestinal parasitic infection and malnutrition.

The Acre Project: the epidemiology of malaria and arthropod-borne virus infections in a rural Amazonian population

The authors describe the baseline malaria prevalence and arbovirus seroprevalence among 467 subjects in an ongoing cohort study in rural Amazonia. Most subjects (72.2%) reported one or more previous episodes of malaria, and 15.6% had been hospitalized for malaria, but only 3.6% of individuals five years or older had malaria parasites detected by microscopy (10 with Plasmodium vivax and 4 with P. falciparum). Antibodies to Alphavirus, Orthobunyavirus, and/or Flavivirus were detected by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) in 42.6% of subjects aged five years or older, with a higher seropositivity rate among males (49.2%) than females (36.2%). Since 98.9% of subjects had been immunized for yellow fever, the presence of cross-reactive antibodies to dengue and other Flaviviruses cannot be ruled out, but at least 12 subjects (3.3%) with IgM antibodies to dengue virus detected by ELISA had a putative recent exposure to this virus.

Anemia and Iron Deficiency in School Children, Adolescents, and Adults: A Community-Based Study in Rural Amazonia

We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of anemia and iron deficiency in 389 [corrected] rural Amazonians aged 5-90 years in Acre, Brazil. Anemia and iron deficiency were diagnosed in 16% and 19% of the population, respectively. Anemia was likely to have multiple causes; although nearly half of anemic school children and women had altered iron status indicators, only 19.7% of overall anemia was attributable to iron deficiency. Geo-helminth infection and a recent malaria episode were additional factors affecting iron status indicators in this population.

Anemia e deficiência de ferro em pré-escolares da Amazônia Ocidental brasileira: prevalência e fatores associados

This cross-sectional population-based study investigated prevalence rates and associated factors for anemia, iron deficiency anemia, and iron deficiency among children 6 to 60 months of age in two towns in Acre State, Brazil (N = 624). Hemoglobin, plasma ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor were measured in venous blood samples. Socioeconomic, demographic, and disease data were obtained using a questionnaire. Prevalence ratios were calculated by Poisson regression in a hierarchical model. Prevalence rates for anemia, iron deficiency anemia, and iron deficiency were 30.6%, 20.9%, and 43.5%, respectively. Children younger than 24 months showed higher risk of anemia, iron deficiency anemia, and iron deficiency. The highest family income tertile was a protective factor against iron deficiency anemia (PR: 0.62; 95%CI: 0.40-0.98). The highest height-for-age quartile was protective against anemia (0.62; 0.44-0.86) and iron deficiency anemia (0.51; 0.33-0.79), and recent history of diarrhea was associated with increased risk of anemia (1.47; 1.12-1.92) and iron deficiency anemia (1.44; 1.03-2.01). Geohelminth infection was associated with increased risk of anemia, iron deficiency anemia, and iron deficiency.

Dietary practices and nutritional status of 0–24-month-old children from Brazilian Amazonia

OBJECTIVE To assess the nutritional status and dietary practices of 0-24-month-old children living in Brazilian Amazonia. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. Information on childrens dietary intakes was obtained from diet history data. Weight and length were measured for anthropometric evaluation. Fe status was assessed using fasting venous blood samples; Hb, serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor concentrations were measured. SETTING The towns of Assis Brasil and Acrelândia in the state of Acre, north-west Brazil. SUBJECTS A total of sixty-nine randomly selected 0-24-month-old children. RESULTS Of these children, 40.3 % were anaemic, 63.1 % were Fe-deficient, 28.1 % had Fe-deficiency anaemia and 11.6 % were stunted. Breast-feeding was initiated by 97.1 % of mothers, followed by early feeding with complementary foods. The dietary pattern reflected a high intake of carbohydrate-rich foods and cows milk, with irregular intakes of fruit, vegetables and meat. All infants and 92.3 % of toddlers were at risk of inadequate Fe intakes. Fe from animal foods contributed on average 0.5 % and 14.3 % to total dietary Fe intake among infants and toddlers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Poor nutritional status and inadequate feeding practices in this study population reinforce the importance of exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life. Greater emphasis is required to improve the bioavailability of dietary Fe during complementary feeding practices.

Prevalência e fatores associados ao excesso de peso em adultos: inquérito populacional em Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil, 2007-2008

Population studies in Brazil have shown an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in adult populations in all regions of the country. The objective was to estimate prevalence and identify risk factors associated with overweight among adults in Rio Branco, Acre State, Brazil. The study included a cross-sectional population-based sample of 1,469 adults. Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression, taking overweight (BMI > 25kg/m2) as the dependent variable. Prevalence of overweight was 46.9%, higher among women. Overweight tended to increase with age in both men and women. Overweight was associated with socioeconomic, demographic, and morbidity variables such as hypertension and dyslipidemia. The high prevalence of overweight in adults of both sexes suggests a public health problem. Control measures and prevention of health risks associated with excess weight are necessary.

Anemia em crianças de 6 a 59 meses e fatores associados no Município de Jordão, Estado do Acre, Brasil

This study investigated anemia prevalence and associated factors using a cross-sectional approach with 429 children 6 to 59 months of age in Jordao, Acre State, Brazil. Multiple Poisson regression in hierarchical models was used in the analysis. Overall anemia prevalence was 57.3% (95%CI: 52.5%-2.1%). Age under 24 months [prevalence ratio - PR (95%CI): 1.40 (1.09-1.74)], living in rural areas [PR: 1.23 (1.04-1.44)], households with 5-14 children [PR: 1.23 (1.04-1.44)], stunting [PR: 1.19 (1.01-1.39)], maternal anemia [PR: 1.18 (1.00-1.39)], and smoking during pregnancy [PR: 1.29 (1.09-1.53)] were associated with increased risk of anemia. Children of working mothers were at lower risk of anemia [PR: 0.78 (0.64-0.94)]. Anemia prevalence in childhood was found to be a serious public health problem in this municipality. Multi-sector prevention strategies should be implemented, addressing poverty and maternal-infant healthcare.