Qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes de uma comunidade endêmica para Schistosoma mansoni no Vale do Jequitinhonha - Minas Gerais

Abstract

The quality of life (QOL) has been considered as a most reliable way to assess the life condition of the population. In the case of parasitic diseases, in particular schistosomiasis, the approaches of QOL have been recognized as a reliable way to estimate the impact of the disease in order to consider, in particular, its chronic characteristics and evaluate the multiple dimensions that may be affected by the life of the infected. However, in Brazil where the prevalence of schistosomiasis is still high, the assessments regarding the impact of this disease in the population of QOL are scarce, above all considering children and adolescents who are part of the more susceptible group. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life related to health (HRQOL) of children and adolescents aged 5 to 15 years, infected with S.mansoni, living in an endemic area in the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais. Socioeconomic and quality of life information using the generic version do Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0) were collected. In addition, we identified the S. mansoni infection by stool examination using the Kato Katz method, hemoglobin levels and the body mass index. The results indicated a strong association between children and adolescents QOL and infection, both by self-reporting (p=0.000), and by parents or caregivers perspective (p=0.002). Similarly, parasitic load increase was significantly associated to all dimensions of QOL (p =0.000). The instrument showed good reliability (> 0.70) for use in the study population. The low correlations between parents or caregivers, and children and adolescents reports (ICC <0.40), showed that the two perspectives should be considered in the evaluation. It was concluded that S. mansoni infection and, high parasite burden decrease QV of participants. Thus, it calls the attention that government actions should aim at achieving control of the disease to avoid possible physical, mental, social and emotional losses generated as a result of this disease.