Investigating the incidence of soil-transmitted helminths infection in elementary school children based on personal hygiene and defecation care: A case-control study

Abstract

Background/Aims: Worm infection, namely intestinal worms that are spread through the soil, is one of the diseases whose occurrence is still high (soil transmitted helminthiasis). This study examines the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in elementary school students based on personal hygiene and defecation management. Methods: The research design used is an observational study with a case control study approach. The population of this study consisted of all kids in the working area of the Bontonompo I Health Center, Gowa Regency, who had been diagnosed with worms from January to June 2021 in as many as 60 cases and as many as 60 kids who hadn't been dewormed. Total sampling with inclusion and exclusion criteria was the sample method employed. The gathered data were examined using the Chi-square test statistical method with a level of significance ( = 0.05), and the value of the odds ratio was used to gain insight into the dynamics of the link between risk variables and effects (OR). Results: The results of the study showed that Chi-square analysis with Pearson chi-square test between personal hygiene variables and the incidence of intestinal worms obtained a value of 0.000 < 0.05 (OR= 11,000, 95%CI 4.5-99.1). The defecation treatment variable also showed a significant relationship with a p value of 0.001 < 0.05 (OR= 5,000, 95%CI 4.5-99.1), so the alternative hypothesis was accepted. So that personal hygiene and defecation care are risk factors for the effect because OR > 1. Conclusions: There is a relationship between personal hygiene and defecation care with the incidence of intestinal worms in children. Therefore, socialization about personal hygiene, treatment for defecation, and administration of deworming drugs is still carried out by the puskesmas in order to prevent an increase in the prevalence of worms in the future.