The prevalence of parasitic gastrointestinal infection and hygiene knowledge in elementary school children in Boyolali district

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, the integrated data regarding the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in Central Java is still lacking particularly, the Simo district which considered to have the second lowest percentage of clean and healthy living habits (60.25%) in Boyolali Regency. Therefore, an estimation of the prevalence of intestinal protozoan and helminth infections are crucial in order to formulate a proper community intervention especially in elementary school children in Boyolali. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using total sampling method and involving first to sixth-grade elementary schoolchildren. Stool specimens were examined using direct, modified Ziehl–Neelsen and Kato staining methods. All of the data were compiled and analyzed using chi square test. Results: Among 127 participants, 17 students (13.58%) were infected with intestinal protozoans and 13 students (10.24%) were infected with helminth. The age ranged from 6 to 14 years old. The most frequent protozoan parasite detected was B. hominis (11.80%) while the most frequent helminth detected was A. lumbricoides (5.51%). Conclusion: In conclusion, there was a considerable helminth and protozoa infection among students in Simo region. Further and wider studies are needed to confirm these findings.