Abstract
BackgroundDespite the continuous efforts to improve the quality of life of Orang Asli (Aborigines) communities, these communities are still plagued with a wide range of health problems including parasitic infections. The first part of this study aimed at determining the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and identifying their associated factors among rural Orang Asli children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among 484 Orang Asli children aged ≤ 15 years (235 females and 249 males) belonging to 215 households from 13 villages in Lipis district, Pahang, Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected and examined by using formalin-ether sedimentation, Kato Katz and Harada Mori techniques. Demographic, socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural information were collected by using a pre-tested questionnaire.ResultsOverall, 78.1% of the children were found to be infected with one or more STH species. The prevalence of trichuriasis, ascariasis and hookworm infections were 71.7%, 37.4% and 17.6%, respectively. Almost all, three quarters and one fifth of trichuriasis, ascariasis and hookworm infections, respectively, were of moderate-to-heavy intensities. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age of ≥ 6 years (school-age), using unsafe water supply as a source for drinking water, absence of a toilet in the house, large family size (≥ 7 members), not washing hands before eating, and not washing hands after defecation were the key factors significantly associated with STH among these children.ConclusionThis study reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of STH among Orang Asli children and clearly brings out an urgent need to implement school-based de-worming programmes and other control measures like providing a proper sanitation, as well as a treated drinking water supply and proper health education regarding good personal hygiene practices. Such an integrated control program will help significantly in reducing the prevalence and intensity of STH in Orang Asli communities.
Highlights
Despite the continuous efforts to improve the quality of life of Orang Asli (Aborigines) communities, these communities are still plagued with a wide range of health problems including parasitic infections
The majority of Orang Asli people were engaged in agriculture, forestry, fishing and related occupations
The present study investigated the possible factors associated with Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among the studied children and revealed that age, absence of toilet and piped water supply in the household, large family size (≥ 7 members), and not washing hands before eating and after defecation are the key factors that found to be associated with the three STH species
Summary
Despite the continuous efforts to improve the quality of life of Orang Asli (Aborigines) communities, these communities are still plagued with a wide range of health problems including parasitic infections. Several studies have revealed the impact of STH infections as significant predictors of protein-energy malnutrition, iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and poor academic performance among schoolchildren in different countries [7,8,9,10]. These consequences may continue into adulthood with effects on the economic productivity which trap the communities at risk of infections in a cycle of poverty, underdevelopment and disease [11]. Benefits of successful STH control programmes extend well beyond eliminating STH as they improve the nutritional and health status of the children as well as contribute to higher educational attainment, labour force participation, productivity, and income among the most vulnerable populations [12,13,14]
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