Introduction:

Intestinal parasitic infections negatively affect the quality of life and health of millions of people. It is necessary to have general knowledge about these infections and their preventive measures to establish appropriate and sustainable health strategies. Aim. The objective of the study was to determine the level of knowledge about preventive measures and control of intestinal parasitism in mothers of infants in Jaén, Peru 2021.

Methods:

The sample was made up of 383 mothers who live in the province of Jaén, Cajamarca department, Peru. 314 mothers over 18 years of age, with children under six years of age, residing for six months or more in the province of Jaén, were included. A questionnaire validated by the judgment of eight experts and composed of 20 multiple choice questions was used.

Results:

The level of knowledge about preventive and control measures against intestinal parasitism was regular in 54.1% of the mothers surveyed. 29.0% of the mothers were between 26 and 35 years of age and 38.2% reported having three or more children. 33.9% and 58.2% of women with poor and regular knowledge of intestinal parasitism only completed their primary and secondary studies, respectively. 55.6% who worked as housewives had regular knowledge (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

It was concluded that the level of knowledge was regular and was related to the occupation and level of education of the mothers of infants residing in the province of Jaén.