PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITE INFECTIONS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION IN NEW-YORK-STATE

The prevalence of intestinal parasite infection among program particip ants of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmen tal Disabilities for the period 1986-1987 was estimated, and demograph ic factors associated with increased risk for infection were identifie d. The overall prevalence of infection was 7.3%. The two most prevalen t infections were Enterobius vermicularis (4.5%) and strongyloides ste rcoralis (1.2%). Males and individuals with severe or profound mental retardation were twice as likely to be positive for the presence of in testinal parasites as females and individuals with mild/moderate retar dation. The relatively low prevalence found in this study compared wit h previous surveys suggests that management of parasitic infection is improving in conjunction with developments in delivery of medical and habilitative services.