Risk factors and prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) infection is an infectious disease that has a high prevalence with unclear clinical symptoms and predominantly affects children in the age range of 5–14 years. AIM: This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors for STH infections in elementary school students in an STH endemic area. METHODS: This study was an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design with a total sampling method. Risk factors were obtained by a questionnaire, and the diagnosis of STH infection was established through a fecal examination with the modified Kato-Katz method. The data are then processed and analyzed using the SPSS application. Chi-square test and risk assessment are used to determine risk factors for STH infection. RESULTS: A total of 138 children participated in this study. The prevalence of STH infections obtained was 56.5% with Trichuris trichiura (53.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (18%), and both (28.2%) as etiology. The degree of STH infection varies from mild-to-severe. All risk factors related to hygiene and sanitation have a statistically significant relationship with the prevalence of STH infections. Eating while playing on the ground was the most influential risk factor for the high prevalence of STH infections (p <0.001, PR = 2.611, CI 95% = 1.961–3.477). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of STH infections in elementary schoolchildren in Tenganan village was 56.5%. Low personal hygiene and sanitation are risk factors for STH infection that can be overcome; therefore, it is necessary to introduce early prevention efforts in elementary schoolchildren as one risk group for STH infection.