Knowledge, awareness, and practice (KAP) towards intestinal parasitic (IP) infection among university student in Selangor

Abstract

This study was aimed to obtain baseline information on the knowledge, awareness, and practice (KAP) towards intestinal parasitic (IP) infection among university students in Selangor, Malaysia. Questionnaire surveys were circulated among 150 university students via online to assess social demographics, knowledge, awareness, and practice of parasitic infection. The simple questions with yes-no and listings were used in this survey. Total correspondents were 60 university students from various fields of study from Selangor. Total participation of male and female students was 28.30%, and 71.10%, bachelor students (51.67%), followed by diploma students (45%) and both master and PhD students at 1.67%. Assessment on knowledge indicated that 56.67% of students knew about IP, and 8.3% had an idea on the protozoan parasites, which can be transmitted via unclean environment or contaminate food. However, the students showed a higher level of awareness for IP infection but failed to know that food handlers can spread IP infection. Lastly, for the assessment for practice, generally, all responded positively, despite not knowing that poor hygiene is causative for IP infection. KAP among university students a lacuna still prevails, which can aid them to be susceptible for parasitic infection.