Level of knowledge of mothers of preschool children regarding home-based prevention of intestinal parasitic infections

Authors

Keywords:

child, preschool; disease prevention; health knowledge, attitudes, practice; intestinal diseases, parasitic; mothers

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal parasitosis remains common in childhood, and prevention largely depends on sustained hygiene-related behaviors at home and in the community.

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge about intestinal parasitosis among mothers of children under five years of age.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted. The population consisted of 120 mothers; a probabilistic sample of 92 participants was selected. The primary variable was the level of knowledge regarding intestinal parasitic infections, assessed using a structured 10-item questionnaire with dichotomous (yes/no) responses, organized into three dimensions: etiology, pathogenesis, and prevention. Absolute and relative frequencies (percentages) were calculated.

Results: Overall knowledge was high in 70.7% (65/92), medium in 28.3% (26/92), and low in 1.1% (1/92). High knowledge predominated in etiology (72.8%) and pathogenesis (81.5%), while prevention was mostly medium (69.6%).

Conclusions: Knowledge regarding intestinal parasitic infections among the participating mothers was predominantly high; however, comparatively lower levels were identified in the preventive dimension.

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Published

2026-10-16

How to Cite

1.
Carbajal Damián GY, Rimachi Asto M, Samaniego Joaquin JW, Huerta León JR, Quille Ticona JM, Purizaca Curo R. Level of knowledge of mothers of preschool children regarding home-based prevention of intestinal parasitic infections. Rev. cuba. med. mil [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 16 [cited 2026 Oct. 18];55(3):e026077434. Available from: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/77434

Issue

Vol. 55 No. 3 (2026): July - September (in Progress)

Section

Brief Communication

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Copyright (c) 2026 Gina Yesenia Carbajal Damián, María Rimachi Asto, Jhonnel Williams Samaniego Joaquin, Jenny Rosalyn Huerta León, José Merlin Quille Ticona, Roxana Purizaca Curo

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