Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hookworm Infection and Strongyloidiasis in East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infections are neglected tropical diseases in developing countries, which have environmental risk factors with the potential for transmission of hookworm and S. stercoralis infections. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors for hookworm and S. stercoralis infections in East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. A cross-sectional study enrolled 213 participants from community based-study and 107 schoolchildren who the participants were randomed sampling from the rural areas. Kato Katz and Koga agar plate cultures/KAP cultures were used for diagnosing hookworm and S. stercoralis infections among participants. The Pearson chi-square analysis was used to analyze the correlation between risk factors with hookworm and S. stercoralis infections. In this study, 33.8% and 8.0% participants were infected with hookworm and S. stercoralis, respectively. The highest odds ratio of hookworm infection was found in village areas surrounded by a river or coastal areas, OR: 2.92 (95% CI: 1.38-6.24), while the highest odds ratio of S. stercoralis infection was found in participants who were habitation with human infected with S. stercoralis (OR: 8.33, 95%CI: 2.27-30.61). In students based-study, hookworm and S. stercoralis infections were found; 31.8% and 10.3%, respectively. Hookworm infection showed a significant correlation with school location (OR: 1.78, 95%CI: 0.87-3.71, p= 0.006), and water resources for daily activity (OR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.09-1.97, p= 0.002). While S. stercoralis infection showed a significant correlation with school location (OR: 1.28, 95%CI: 0.73-2.23, (p= 0.027), yard covering (OR: 5.50, 95%CI: 0.84-36.02, p= 0.010), and water waste treatment (OR: 5.50, 95%CI: 0.84-36.02, p= 0.010). Usual eat raw vegetable has significantly correlated with hookworm infection (OR: 1.07, 95%CI: 0.80-1.43, p= 0.005). Taken together, in this study suggested that the high prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis infections correlated with the high risk factors. The intervention program and prevention program should be used for control to reduce hookworm and S. stercoralis infections, especially in rural areas.