The objectives of this study are the characterization of the morbidity by intestinal helminth infections and the identification of the factors associated with these diseases, with emphasis on environmental factors, in children ranging from one to five incomplete years old residing in subnormal settlement areas - invasion areas. A population-based cross-sectional epidemiological design was used in 29 out of the 78 subnormal settlement areas in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, MG. The sample consisted of all children at the age of interest residing in the 29 settlement areas, not chosen at random. The assessed sample amounted to 753 children. Data were collected by means of domiciliary interviews with their mothers or with the person responsible for them. The Hoffmann-Pons-Janer method was used in the parasitological feces examination. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with the diseases. One hundred, sixty and one (21.38%) sample children presented intestinal helminth infections. The factors associated with these parasitic diseases included the children's age, family income, complaints about the quality of the water from the public system and deficiencies in sanitation.
Intestinal helminth infections; environmental sanitation; environmental health; parasites; child health
