Abstract
BackgroundIn the first part of this study, we investigated the prevalence and associated key factors of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among Orang Asli children in rural Malaysia; an alarming high prevalence and five key factors significantly associated with infections were reported. Part 2 of this study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) on STH infections among Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among 215 households from 13 villages in Lipis district, Pahang, Malaysia. Demographic and socioeconomic information of the participants and their KAP on STH were collected by using a pre-tested questionnaire.ResultsOverall, 61.4% of the participants had prior knowledge about intestinal helminths with a lack of knowledge on the transmission (28.8%), signs and symptoms (29.3%) as well as the prevention (16.3%). Half of the respondents considered STH as harmful, while their practices to prevent infections were still inadequate. Significant associations between the KAP and age, gender, educational and employment status, family size, and household monthly income were reported. Moreover, significantly lower prevalence of STH infections was reported among children of respondents who wear shoes/slippers when outside the house (72.8%; 95% CI= 62.6, 80.5 vs 87.0%; 95% CI= 81.4, 91.1), wash their hands before eating (32.4%; 95% CI= 24.3, 42.2 vs 51.4%; 95% CI= 44.7, 60.1), and wash their hands after defecation (47.8%; 95% CI= 35.7, 57.1 vs 69.2%; 95% CI= 63.7, 78.7) as compared to their counterparts. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the educational level of the respondents was the most important factor significantly associated with the KAP on STH among this population.ConclusionThis study reveals inadequate knowledge, attitude and practices on STH infections among Orang Asli in rural Malaysia. Hence, there is a great need for a proper health education programme and community mobilisation to enhance prevention and instil better knowledge on STH transmission and prevention. This is crucial for an effective and sustainable STH control programme to save the lives and future of the most vulnerable children in rural Malaysia.
Highlights
In the first part of this study, we investigated the prevalence and associated key factors of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among Orang Asli children in rural Malaysia; an alarming high prevalence and five key factors significantly associated with infections were reported
The results indicated that respondents who had at least 6 years of formal education had significantly higher odds of hearing about intestinal worms (OR=2.1; 95% confidence intervals (CI)=1.3, 3.5), having knowledge on signs and symptoms (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.1, 2.9), having knowledge on diarrhoea (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.1, 2.9) and lack of appetite (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.1, 2.9) as symptoms of STH infections, having knowledge on the prevention of STH infections (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.1, 2.9), and having knowledge on taking de-worming drugs as a preventive measure (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.1, 2.9) when compared with noneducated respondents
The results of the present study showed that knowledge about intestinal helminths among the participants was generally poor with low awareness about the symptoms, ways of transmission and preventive measures
Summary
In the first part of this study, we investigated the prevalence and associated key factors of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among Orang Asli children in rural Malaysia; an alarming high prevalence and five key factors significantly associated with infections were reported. Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, among the most common neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), are major public health problems in developing countries among children in rural areas with more than two-thirds of the cases occur in Asia [1,2]. These infections, mainly by the triad of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus) and Trichuris trichiura are among the most important predictors of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, poor cognitive function, school absenteeism and a dismal academic performance among children [3,4,5,6,7]. Adequate sanitation plays an important role in protecting the uninfected individuals and reducing the environmental sources of infections
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
