REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON THE PRESENCE OF PARASITES IN PACIFIERS AND POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections constitute an important public health problem associated with low income, limited education, and inadequate sanitation and hygiene conditions. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their dependence on caregivers for personal hygiene and the cleaning of daily-use objects, such as pacifiers. This study conducted an integrative literature review aimed at identifying the presence of parasites on children's pacifiers and their main sources of contamination. Searches were performed in the SciELO, PubMed, and LILACS databases using the descriptors “Children,” “Pacifiers,” and “Parasites,” including articles published between 2010 and 2021 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The results demonstrated the occurrence of parasites such as Entamoeba, Giardia duodenalis, Trichuris trichiura, Endolimax nana, and Ascaris lumbricoides. The main sources of contamination were related to the hands of caregivers and children, as well as environmental exposure in settings with poor sanitation. The studies also revealed an association between contamination, low income, and limited educational attainment, highlighting the need for health education initiatives and improvements in sanitation infrastructure.