Abstract
BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are one of the major public health problems, especially in the rural area of developing countries with low socio-economic status and poor sanitation. The study was aimed to determine the prevalence of IPIs among the inhabitants of a rural area in South West Sumba, eastern part of Indonesia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was done in Kalena Rongo village, South West Sumba in April 2014. Stool samples were collected and examined for IPIs using direct smear method.ResultsFaecal samples were collected from 424 of 473 inhabitants of the village, age 2 months to 80 years. About 95.5 % (405/424) of the participants had any IPIs. The most prevalent parasites found were Ascaris lumbricoides 65.8 % (279/424), Trichuris trichiura 60.4 % (256/424), hookworms 53.5 % (227/424), Blastocystis hominis 34.4 % (146/424), Entamoeba histolytica 17.9 % (76/424), and Giardia lamblia 4.5 % (19/424). The villagers used no latrine and defecated in their backyard. Clean water sources were scarce and far from the village.ConclusionsIn Kalena Rongo village, the rural area in eastern part of Indonesia, the finding of IPIs was conspicuous and therefore expressed the poor hygiene and absence of proper sanitation in the area. Integrated efforts, such as improving infrastructure to provide clean water source and educating the inhabitants for appropriate hygienic lifestyle are needed.
Highlights
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are one of the major public health problems, especially in the rural area of developing countries with low socio-economic status and poor sanitation
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs), which can be caused by infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and intestinal protozoa, is a public health problem [1,2,3]
The elimination of morbidity due to helminth infections in children has been aimed to be achieved by 2020, whereas periodic deworming program has been endorsed for decades, especially in 2001 during World Health Assembly and in 2009 during the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases [1, 4]
Summary
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are one of the major public health problems, especially in the rural area of developing countries with low socio-economic status and poor sanitation. Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs), which can be caused by infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and intestinal protozoa, is a public health problem [1,2,3]. The elimination of morbidity due to helminth infections in children has been aimed to be achieved by 2020, whereas periodic deworming program has been endorsed for decades, especially in 2001 during World Health Assembly and in 2009 during the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases [1, 4]. STH and intestinal protozoa infections cause IPIs and have been linked with poor environmental sanitation, poor personal hygiene, and low educational level [7]. Improved infrastructure, better sanitation and deworming program have reduced IPIs in the urban area of developing countries, but the situation in their rural part is largely unknown [8]
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