El laboratorio en la investigación-acción de la comunidad

we carried out a study to find out the situation of intestinal pathogens in 69 children of school age in "los sirios" sub-urban community in santa clara city as part of a research-action project. feces samples were taken and sent to the enteric pathogen laboratory where a coproculture was performed to search for hidden sources of infection in asymptomatic individuals and parasitologic techniques including graham′s technique were applied on site. we made a survey in the households of children included in the research to find out the population practices as well as the conditions within the community that favoured the occurrence of infective enteric pictures. our study showed the prevalence of parasites, mainly helminths, being ascaris lumbricoids the most detected. the most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain and lose of weight. good hygienic habits protected these children from parasitism and infection. the laboratory integrated into the community project with a teamwork perspective.