Intestinal parasitosis: Prevalence and risk factors in schoolchildren in the post-COVID-19 period in 2021 in 4 departments of the Republic of Congo

Introduction: Intestinal parasitoses are colonizations of the digestive tract by parasites, helminths or protozoa, representing a public health problem in developing countries. The factors involved in their occurrence are varied. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with their occurrence in the Republic of Congo. Patients, materials and method: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted over a six-month period from May 1 to October 31, 2021, in elementary school and laboratories in health facilities in 4 departments of the Republic of Congo. Parasitological examination of stools combined with a stool concentration technique was used to search for parasites. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. The threshold of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The sample size was 377 school-age children. 97 of the 377 samples were positive, representing a prevalence of 25.7%. The localities of Oyo and Nkayi were those where the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was significantly higher (p=0.006), with 45.5% and 30.4% respectively. The sex ratio (M/F) was The localities of Pointe-noire and Nkayi were those where the risk of intestinal parasitosis was significantly highest, with p=0.041 and p=0.029 respectively. No risk factors for intestinal parasitosis related to socio-economic conditions and hygiene rules were associated with the occurrence of intestinal parasitosis. Conclusion: Intestinal parasitosis remains a public health problem in our country. They are most prevalent in Pointe-noire and Nkayi. However, no risk factors have been identified in the post-Covid-19 period.