Background Disease burden from soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is mainly attributed to its chronic and insidious impact on health and quality of life. Strategy recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) to control it was previously focused on school-aged children, but now preschool-aged children are involved. This study was intended to determine STH infection risk factors in preschool children. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Suka Village, North Sumatera, Indonesia, from October to December 2016. Subjects were children aged 1 to 5 years without history of taking antihelminthic. Subjects were obtained by consecutive sampling. Demographic data and risk factors for helminthiasis were collected using questionnaire-based interview. Subjects were divided into two groups, positive and negative STH infection, based on Kato Katz method. Analysis was done using chi-square and logistic regression test. p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results We enrolled 90 subjects in this study, with the mean age being 31.7 months. STH infection prevalence was 34.4%. Statistical analysis revealed that mother/caregiver hand washing habit (p = 0.007), mother/caregiver nail trimming habit (p = 0.018), and children nail trimming habit (p = 0.022) were significant risk factors for STH infection. Conclusion Mother/caregiver hand washing habit is the most influential risk factor for STH infection in preschool children.

Pendahuluan: Infeksi parasit usus merupakan masalah kesehatan utama di negara berkembang, terutama pada anak sering menyebabkan mortalitas dan morbiditas. Penyebab utama infeksi parasit usus adalah cacing yang ditularkan melalui tanah disebut soil-transmitted helminths (STH) yaitu cacing gelang (Ascaris lumbricoides), cacing cambuk (Trichuris trichiura) dan hookworm (Ancylostomaduodenale dan Necatoramericanus).Strategi yang direkomendasikan oleh World Health Organization (WHO)untuk mengontrol penyakit tersebut pertama kali difokuskan pada anak usia sekolah, saat ini anak usia pra sekolah juga menjadi salah satu populasi berisiko tinggi penyakit ini. Oleh karena itu penting diketahui faktor risiko kejadian kecacingan pada anak usia sekolah.