Soil-transmitted helminth and its associated risk factors among school-aged children

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminth is still prevalent among developing region population consisting of three helminthic species infection, Ascariasis, hookworm, and Trichuriasis. Poor personal hygiene, poor environmental sanitation, low social economy, and population density are associated with the infection. Our study aimed to determine any significance among purposed risk factor of STH infection. This study was an analytical survey with cross sectional design. The number of samples is 39 student of 101747 Public Elementary School located in Klumpang Kebun Street, Klumpang Kebun Village, Hamparan Perak District, Deli Serdang who are determined based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data of personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and socio-economic was obtained by filling in the questionnaire. STH infections data was examined by the Kato-Katz method. Thus, bivariate statistical analysis is established to view the risk factors that play a role in the transmission of STH. Among 39 school age children studied, an overall STH prevalence of 25.6% was found. Questionnaires showed good personal hygiene 74.4%, good environment 77% and high income 53.8%. Also, bivariate analysis showed the strong relationship between the STH risk factor and its infections consisting of personal hygiene (p = 0.000, 95% CI 3.762 - 181.066) and environmental sanitation (p = 0.000, 95% CI 4.367 - 206.071). The significant association of proposed risk factor and STH infection must have led to a specific intervention performed by any official institution including government.