Beyond COVID-19: The Association between Ivermectin Use and Enteroparasitosis Prevalence in School Children

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections remain a public health concern in tropical regions, particularly among school-aged children who are exposed to risk factors such as animal husbandry and inadequate sanitation conditions. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in schoolchildren and subsequently to evaluate the relationship between ivermectin use, handwashing practices, and animal husbandry and the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in schoolchildren in a tropical region of Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from June 2022 to December 2022 among 107 schoolchildren in Tingo María, Peru. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to parents/guardians and direct coproparasitological analysis of fecal samples. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Poisson regression. Results: A high prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was observed (76.6%). Among the evaluated factors, prior ivermectin use was significantly associated with a lower frequency of parasitic infection (p=0.037; PR=0.63; 95% CI: 0.42-0.93). Animal husbandry also showed a significant association, whereas handwashing was not identified as a determining factor. Conclusion: The finding that prior ivermectin use may be associated with a reduced prevalence of intestinal parasitosis opens new avenues for further research into its potential role in endemic regions. This result warrants further research to evaluate its effectiveness as part of community-level parasitic control strategies.