Tribal Relations With A Healthy Lifestyle And Soil-transmitted Helminth In Infection In Elementary School Age Children In Medan Labuhan

Feb 27, 2025 by ADMIN 136 views

Tribal Relations with a Healthy Lifestyle and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection in Elementary School Age Children in Medan Labuhan

Introduction

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, also known as earthworm infections, are a significant public health concern worldwide. These infections are caused by parasitic worms that are transmitted through contaminated soil, and they can lead to a range of health problems, including malnutrition, anemia, and impaired cognitive development. In Indonesia, STH infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among children. Despite the importance of addressing STH infections, there is a lack of research on the relationship between ethnicity and STH infections in elementary school children in Indonesia.

Background

STH infections are a significant public health concern in Indonesia, with an estimated 40% of the population infected. The prevalence of STH infections is highest among children, with an estimated 50% of children under the age of 15 infected. The main types of STH infections found in Indonesia are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and a mixture of both. These infections can be transmitted through contaminated soil, water, and food, and they can be spread through poor hygiene practices, such as not washing hands after using the toilet or before eating.

Methodology

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ethnicity and STH infections in elementary school children in Medan Labuhan, Indonesia. A total of 468 children aged 6 to 14 years were recruited from 12 elementary schools in the district. Stool samples were collected and examined using the Kato-Katz method, and social-demographic and behavioral data were collected through questionnaires filled out by parents and interviews and observations of children.

Results

The results of this study showed that the prevalence of STH infections was 36.8% (172/468). The main types of STH infections found were Ascaris lumbricoides (40.1%), Trichuris trichiura (18.6%), and a mixture of both (41.3%). Interestingly, this study did not find a significant relationship between ethnicity and lifestyle and STH infections. This suggests that ethnic factors are not the main determinant in the risk of STH infections in elementary school children in Medan Labuhan.

Risk Factors

Multivariate analysis with logistic regression revealed that incorrect hand washing habits were the main risk factors for STH infections (OR 24.00). Other risk factors found included the habit of biting nails (OR 6.56), latrine conditions that did not meet the requirements (OR 5.45), water that was not clean (OR 5.01), and the condition of the nail that was not clean (OR 2.29). These findings suggest that poor hygiene practices, such as not washing hands after using the toilet or before eating, are a key factor in the spread of STH infections.

Implications

This study has important implications for efforts to prevent and control STH infections. Educational programs and provision of good and correct hand washing facilities in schools and the environment around children are crucial steps to reduce STH transmission. Furthermore, this study highlights the need for further research to examine other factors that may play a role in STH infections in elementary school children in Labuhan Medan, such as environmental sanitation conditions, eating habits, and access to health facilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found that incorrect hand washing habits were the main risk factors for STH infections in elementary school children in Medan Labuhan. These findings suggest that educational programs and provision of good and correct hand washing facilities are crucial steps to reduce STH transmission. Furthermore, this study highlights the need for further research to examine other factors that may play a role in STH infections in elementary school children in Labuhan Medan.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Educational programs should be implemented to promote good hygiene practices, such as washing hands after using the toilet or before eating.
Provision of good and correct hand washing facilities in schools and the environment around children should be prioritized.
Further research should be conducted to examine other factors that may play a role in STH infections in elementary school children in Labuhan Medan, such as environmental sanitation conditions, eating habits, and access to health facilities.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on examining other factors that may play a role in STH infections in elementary school children in Labuhan Medan. This may include:

Environmental sanitation conditions: This study found that latrine conditions that did not meet the requirements were a risk factor for STH infections. Further research should examine the relationship between environmental sanitation conditions and STH infections.
Eating habits: This study found that the condition of the nail that was not clean was a risk factor for STH infections. Further research should examine the relationship between eating habits and STH infections.
Access to health facilities: This study found that the prevalence of STH infections was higher in areas with limited access to health facilities. Further research should examine the relationship between access to health facilities and STH infections.

Limitations

This study had several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may have limited the generalizability of the findings. Secondly, the study relied on self-reported data from parents and children, which may have been subject to bias. Finally, the study did not examine other potential risk factors for STH infections, such as environmental sanitation conditions and access to health facilities.

Conclusion

Q: What is soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection?

A: STH infection, also known as earthworm infection, is a type of parasitic infection that is caused by worms that are transmitted through contaminated soil, water, and food. These infections can lead to a range of health problems, including malnutrition, anemia, and impaired cognitive development.

Q: What are the main types of STH infections found in Indonesia?

A: The main types of STH infections found in Indonesia are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and a mixture of both.

Q: What are the risk factors for STH infections in elementary school children in Medan Labuhan?

A: The risk factors for STH infections in elementary school children in Medan Labuhan include incorrect hand washing habits, the habit of biting nails, latrine conditions that do not meet the requirements, water that is not clean, and the condition of the nail that is not clean.

Q: What is the prevalence of STH infections in elementary school children in Medan Labuhan?

A: The prevalence of STH infections in elementary school children in Medan Labuhan is 36.8% (172/468).

Q: What are the implications of this study for efforts to prevent and control STH infections?

A: The findings of this study suggest that educational programs and provision of good and correct hand washing facilities in schools and the environment around children are crucial steps to reduce STH transmission.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include a relatively small sample size, reliance on self-reported data from parents and children, and failure to examine other potential risk factors for STH infections, such as environmental sanitation conditions and access to health facilities.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The recommendations of this study include:

Educational programs should be implemented to promote good hygiene practices, such as washing hands after using the toilet or before eating.
Provision of good and correct hand washing facilities in schools and the environment around children should be prioritized.
Further research should be conducted to examine other factors that may play a role in STH infections in elementary school children in Labuhan Medan, such as environmental sanitation conditions, eating habits, and access to health facilities.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

Q: What are the potential public health implications of this study?

A: The findings of this study have important implications for public health efforts to prevent and control STH infections in Indonesia. By understanding the risk factors for STH infections and implementing effective prevention and control measures, it may be possible to reduce the burden of STH infections in Indonesia and improve the health and well-being of children and communities.

Q: What are the potential policy implications of this study?

A: The findings of this study have important implications for policy efforts to prevent and control STH infections in Indonesia. By prioritizing the provision of good and correct hand washing facilities in schools and the environment around children, and implementing educational programs to promote good hygiene practices, it may be possible to reduce the burden of STH infections in Indonesia and improve the health and well-being of children and communities.

Q: What are the potential future directions for this research?

A: Future research should focus on examining other factors that may play a role in STH infections in elementary school children in Labuhan Medan, such as environmental sanitation conditions, eating habits, and access to health facilities. Additionally, research should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and control measures, such as educational programs and provision of good and correct hand washing facilities, in reducing the burden of STH infections in Indonesia.