Personal Hygiene and Anthelmintic Consumption in Prevention of Enterobiasis Among Primary School Children

Abstract

Background: Pinworm infection remains a global public health problem in Indonesia, with the highest prevalence in primary school–aged children. The government has made helminthiasis control efforts through annual deworming every six months, yet data on the enterobiasis prevalence and its risk factors are still limited. Purpose: This research aimed to determine the role of personal hygiene and anthelmintic or worm medicine consumption in the prevention of enterobiasis among primary school children. Methods: This research employed an analytic observational method with a cross-sectional design. The population used was primary school children in the Public Health Center (PHC) of Kaliwungu area, Kendal District, Central Java Province. The research sample was 150 students from first grade to third grade at 1 Primary Elementary School 1 Kutoharjo. The data sources were obtained from interviews of risk factors and perianal swab examinations. The data were analyzed by a chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of pinworm infection among primary school children remains high (37.33%). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that there are three determinant variables of pinworm infections: not washing hands with soap before eating (p < 0.01; Prevalence Odds Ratio (POR) = 6.47; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 2.87 < POR < 14.59); not washing hands with soap after defecation (p = 0.01; POR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.40 < POR < 8.05); and not consuming anthelmintic drugs within the past six months (p = 0.03; POR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.08 < POR < 5.50). Conclusion: Hand washing habits and annual deworming are important factors to prevent pinworm infections.

High case enterobiasis in school children and potential eggs distribution on the bed

“…17 The reports from Bulgaria stated that cases in children were significantly more common than in the adult age group. 4 This is related to personal hygiene behaviors such as finger sucking habits, 32 not washing hands before eating 16 and after defecation. 33 Worm eggs that stick to fingers and fingernails due to contact with the rectal area or worm eggs on the distribution media if not cleaned have the potential to become an intermediary for the entry of worm eggs into the mouth 34 which is the initial stage of infection in enterobiasis cases.…”

“…The incidence of infection is often associated with personal hygiene 16 and bedroom sanitation conditions. 17 Personal hygiene that has the most potential to be a risk factor for infection is hand hygiene and its activities related to the mouth, including fingernail hygiene, 18 finger sucking habits, 19 the habit of washing hands with soap both before eating and after defecation activities.…”

“…17 Personal hygiene that has the most potential to be a risk factor for infection is hand hygiene and its activities related to the mouth, including fingernail hygiene, 18 finger sucking habits, 19 the habit of washing hands with soap both before eating and after defecation activities. 16 The Indonesian government has attempted to undertake appropriate measures, including the mass worm treatment program for school children every six months. 20,21 The treatment aims to kill worms in the child's body, but it should be followed by efforts to maintain the sanitation of the bedroom environment, children's playground, and healthy living behavior for children.…”

Kebersihan Tangan Dan Infeksi Cacing Enterobius Vermicularis Pada Anak Sekolah Dasar

“…Gejala utama Enterobiasis adalah iritasi di sekitar perianal yang menyebabkan penderita gatal pada area anus, gangguan tidur, enuresis, penurunan nafsu makan, penurunan berat badan, cepat tersinggung dan mudah marah. [5] Infeksi berat pada wanita dapat menyebabkan keluarnya cairan mukoid dari vagina, uterus dan tuba fallopi. [5] , [6] Program pemerintah kabupaten terkait Enterobiasis yaitu pemberian obat cacing dan edukasi tentang pencegahan kecacingan telah dilakukan sesuai dengan kebijakan program pengendalian kecacingan yang dibuat oleh Kementerian Kesehatan.…”

Enterobius vermicularis infections in Iraq

“…Due to their tiny size, pinworm eggs can occasionally become airborne and get inhaled when breathing (Cook, 1994). Poor personal hygiene, contaminated food or water consumption, poor environmental sanitation, and living with sick individuals have all been linked to a high incidence rate of E. vermicularis (Muliawati et al, 2020). In Iraq, many elements have contributed to considerable societal changes since 2003, including developing a public health system that focuses on preventative and control programs, particularly those dealing with parasite infections.…”