Behavioral and hygienic characteristics of primary schoolchildren which can be modified to reduce the prevalence of geohelminth infections: a study in central Java, Indonesia.

ABSTRACT

Five schools in central Java that enroll more than 500 students in grades one through six were chosen for a study of the prevalence of parasitic geohelminths and selected protozoan infections. The schools are located in regions that differ in geological features, density of vegetation and cultural and economic attributes. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths among children in the five schools ranged from 8.7% to 76.1%, and protozoan infections from 2.8% to 32.1%. The principal objective of the study was to identify physical, hygienic and behavioral characteristics of the children that increase the likelihood of becoming infected. Although most of the characteristics studied are considered to be contributing factors, few previous attempts have been made to rank them in order of importance in causing infection. The results of this study suggest that a systematic and sustained effort to teach children to (a) avoid certain types of behavior that favor infection, and (b) practice good personal hygiene, are the best approaches to significant and enduring reduction of the scourge of intestinal parasitism.