Prevention and control of intestinal parasites in rural communities:

Abstract

Intestinal parasites are diseases caused by protozoa and helminths and can be serious, especially in vulnerable groups. The community pharmacist plays a role in the prevention and control of these diseases, not only by providing medicines, but also by acting as a health educator, guiding the community on appropriate hygiene and sanitation measures. The study aims to analyze the prevention and control of intestinal parasites in rural communities, under the competences of the community pharmacist. The methodology is a qualitative and exploratory bibliographic review, with consultation of the PubMed (Public Medical) and Google Scholar databases, carried out using specific keywords, such as "intestinal parasite prevention", "community pharmacist", and "rural communities", of materials in English and Portuguese, covering the years 2018 to 2023. The results highlighted that the North and Northeast regions of Brazil have high rates of parasites due to socioeconomic and environmental conditions. The pharmacist performs duties from treatment, adjusting doses and monitoring side effects. Phytotherapy, with the use of plants such as eucalyptus and garlic, is another promising antiparasitic option, allowing the pharmacist to innovate new formulations. In rural areas, the community pharmacist is essential in prevention, promoting health and avoiding reinfection of the population. It is concluded that the action of the community pharmacist in health education is essential to promote changes in habits and reduce the incidence of these diseases. In addition to the correct dispensing of antiparasitic medications, it also aims to ensure the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites in rural areas.