Risk factors of soil-transmitted helminth infection among elementary school students

Abstract

Background Helminth infection remains a health problem, especially in school-aged children. Mass eradication programs with a single dose of anti-helminthic drugs were employed by the local government in some endemic areas in Bali. However, the effectiveness of the programs has not been well evaluated.Objective To investigate prevalence and possible risk factors of helminth infection, including nutritional status, in elementary school students from endemic areas who participated in mass eradication programs.Methods This cross-sectional study involved 126 students from Elementary School No. 3 Gegelang, Karangasem, Bali, a location that had recently undergone a mass eradication program. Diagnoses were based on direct smear examination of fecal specimens. Information on suspected risk factors and nutritional status were collected by questionnaire and anthropometric measurement, respectively. Statistical analyses included Chi-square and odds ratio, using SPSS v21 software.Results The prevalence of helminth infection was 31.7% with etiologies of Trichuris trichuria (75%), Ascaris lumbricoides (17.5%), or both infections (7.5%). Habits of not using footwear [OR=4.88; 95%CI 1.15 to 20.65], not keeping nails trimmed [OR=3.33; 95%CI 1.07 to 10.37], and absence of a proper toilet [OR=4.31; 95%CI 1.93 to 9.64] were found to be significant risk factors for helminth infection. However, we found no significant association between helminth infection and nutritional status, although a considerable number of students had less than normal reference values, in terms of weight, height, and BMI for age.Conclusion The prevalence of helminth infection continues to be high, with personal hygiene and sanitation as significant risk factors. History of mass eradication programs did not confer an effective protection against helminth infection.

Prevalence, Intensity and Risk Factors of Soil Transmitted Helminths Infections Among Elementary School Students in Ngis Village, Karangasem District, Bali

“…Not washing hands after playing the soil can increase risk of being infected with STH by twelve times in elementary students. These results are in line with the research results obtained by Wiryadana et al 14 In addition, which researcher also was found that children who are barefoot when they are outside the house was also significantly associated with the incidence of STH infection. Being barefoot can cause the occurrence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection.…”

“…In line with Kartini's 21 research which was stated that is a relationship between children who were barefoot against STH infection, but in Wiryadana et al 14 study, no significant results were found. 14,21 Researcher was also found that children who did not have latrines had a significant association with the incidence of STH infection. However researcher was found the protective value of children who have latrines.…”

“…10 Village children in Bali often spend their time playing with the soil and this causes them to be easily infected by bacteria or parasites. [11][12][13][14] The incidence of STH infection in children has brought the attention of the government. The Indonesian government program currently wants to reduce the incidence of helminthiasis in children, both through counseling and deworming for six months on a regular basis, targeting primary school children in remote villages.…”

“…This difference is caused by several factors such as time of study, geographical location, culture, social and economic conditions. 11,[14][15][16] Based on the data in Table 2, the results of statistical tests found that the proportion of male sex is higher than that of women experiencing STH infection. Gender has no risk for the incidence of STH infection.…”

Penyuluhan, Pemeriksaan THT Dan Pengobatan Gratis Dalam Pelayanan Kesehatan Dan Penelitian (Peniti) 2016 Di Desa Gegelang Karangasem Bali

“…Tidak ditemukan hubungan antara status kecacingan dengan status gizi yang buruk, walaupun sebagian siswa memilki status gizi yang dibawah nilai rekomendasi WHO. Hasil penelitian lebih lengkap telah dipublikasikan secara terpisah yang dapat dilihat pada tautan https://www.paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/1571 (Wiryadana et al 2017).…”