PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTOR OF SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS INFECTIONS AMONG ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

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รุ่นปัจจุบันของ 07:12, 15 มกราคม 2558

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTOR OF SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS INFECTIONS AMONG ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, NAN PROVINCE, THAILAND

Katekaew Seangpraw*, Surasak Taneepanichskul, Ratana Somrongthrong

Background: Soil-Transmitted Helminthes (STH) it one of the major health concerns in rural area in Thailand. Nan province, there are lacks of survey data related to these infections in the study area, particularly among indigenous communities people in primary students, whose inhabitants have plenty of access to health care services, including good dwelling and adequate sanitary conditions.

Objective: (i) To assess the prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminth infections among primary students, (ii) to identify risk factors associated with local infection, and (iii) to assess the primary students’ knowledge, attitude, and preventive behavior toward STH infections. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried in primary school in Bo Kluea district, Nan province in 2014. A total of 132 (males =68, females =64) students (ages 10-12 years) were face to face interviews by trained researchers. In addition, stool examinations using Kato's thick smear technique were conducted. The results were presented as descriptive statistics and inferential statistical including Chi Square. Set the level of significant at p-value <0.05.

Results: The prevalence of STH found to be 14.4 % (19/132). Ascaris lumbricoides infection was the most prominent (10.6%), followed by Hookworm (1.6%), and Trichuris trichiura (0.8%), respectively. Infection was prevalent in males (57.9%) more than in females (42.1%), ages 10-12 years. Prevalence of ethnic was Lua (57.9%), Indigenous, and MlaBri (26.3%, 15.8%) respectively. Most of students never had their stools examination for helminthes (62.9%). Most of them (86.4%) had low f knowledge towards STH and attitude towards the preventive of STH were (89.4%) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that variables such as household (lack of toilet (p <0.000), father education (p <0.001), income of family (p < 0.000), type of housing (p <0.000), hands after defecation (p <0.021), and wearing shoes (p <0.000) were the risk factors. Moderate level of prevention behavior was associated with significant STH infections (p <0.003).

Conclusion: The findings revealed that most of students had low knowledge and attitude towards STH prevention and control. Preventive measures should address important risk factors. Access to public health care and health education regarding to personal hygiene such as washing hand after defecation, wearing shoes, and proper use of latrines are essential elements. Therefore, multiple intervention strategies should be implemented by using community participation among school students, teachers, parents and community for behavioral changed and promoting sanitary latrine used for reducing STH infection. Keywords: Soil-Transmitted Helminths, Prevalence, Risk Factor, Ethnic Minority Group,

      Primary Student 

• Corresponding author: Katekaew Seangpraw

Organisation: College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Email: eungkaew@gmail.com