RISK-FACTORS FOR THE OCCURRENCE OF BANCROFTIAN FILARIASIS INFECTION IN CHILDREN LIVING IN ENDEMIC AREAS OF NORTHEAST OF BRAZIL

The objective of this study was to identify biological and social risk factors for the occurrence of microfilaraemia in a population of 1464 children of both sexes aged 5-14 years, living in two highly endemic areas of Recife a city in the northeast of Brazil. A survey was perfor med from December 1990 to July 1991 and the microfilaraemia was examin ed by the thick-drop technique using 45 mu l of peripheral blood. Info rmation was obtained about use of bednet, length of time living in are a and number of occupants per household. Risk was quantified by the cr ude and adjusted Odds Ratio. The 95 per cent confidence interval, Like lihood Ratio Statistics, and P value were used to test the statistical significance. An association was established between microfilaraemia in children and adolescents, and age, number of individuals per househ old, the presence of microfilaraemic adults in the household, length o f time living in the area, and bednet use, Maternal microfilaraemia wa s not found to be a risk factor for the occurrence of microfilaraemia in offspring. These results allow the identification of children with a greater risk of microfilaraemia, In addition, these findings highlig ht the role of the household environment in the transmission process.