Prediction of Hemoglobin Levels and Eosinophil Counts Due to Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) Infection in Elementary School Students in the River Banks Area, South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections in School-Age Children still exist as a public health problem in the River Banks Area. Elementary school students are one of the vulnerable populations to STH infection. This research purposed to determine the prediction of hemoglobin levels and eosinophil counts due to STH infection in elementary school students in the River Banks Area, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Methods: One hundred thirty-three kato katz stool preparation of three elementary school students in the river banks area, 68 were male and 65 were female, aged between 7 and 12 years old, were conducted for egg per gram (EPG) STHs eggs count Kato Katz method microscopic examination, and hematology analyzer blood examination to determine hemoglobin levels and eosinophil counts. Result: Linear regression analysis revealed that EPG of STHs was associated with a hemoglobin level of 13.937 with a -0.031 fold decrease in risk and with an eosinophil count of 140.204 with a 4.156 fold increase in risk, (95% confidence interval; p<0.001). Conclusion: Although EPG of STHs can be used to predict the risk of decreased hemoglobin levels and increased eosinophil counts, EPG is not the only factor to predict both of them in elementary school children.