<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>BACKGROUND</h3>
<p>Prevention and control of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Malaysia remain a challenge, especially among aborigine and rural population. Despite several community-based reports, there are lacking national data on the overall prevalence for STH infection.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>AIM</h3>
<p>The study aimed to determine the prevalence, endemic species, and distribution and risk zones (RZs) for STH infections in Malaysia through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the data published between 1999 and 2019.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>METHODS</h3>
<p>This study employed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The databases used in this review include SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, OVID MEDLINE, and PUBMED. The random-effects model determined the pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) while Cochran’s Q-test evaluated the heterogeneity.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>RESULTS</h3>
<p>A total of 13240 samples were examined during the period under review with 6235 were infected with one or more species of STHs. The overall PPE for STH infections was 51% (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 34, 67). PPEs for sub-groups ranged between 13% (95% CI: 5, 22) and 69% (95% CI: 50, 87). Highest PPEs for STH infections were observed among aborigine children (69% 95% CI: 50, 87). <italic>Trichuris trichiura</italic> was the most prevalent species (46%, 95% CI: 27, 65). Over 46% (17/37) of the studies, especially among aborigine community and their area showed high-HRZ for STH infections.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>CONCLUSION</h3>
<p>STH infections involving <italic>T. trichiura</italic>, <italic>Ascaris lumbricoides</italic>, hookworms and <italic>Strongyloides stercoralis</italic> are highly prevalent among aborigine community. Primary and secondary prevention such as the use of anthelmintic, health education, and adequate sanitation was essential in the control of these infections in Malaysia to improve individual and community health.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

BACKGROUND
Prevention and control of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Malaysia remain a challenge, especially among aborigine and rural population. Despite several community-based reports, there are lacking national data on the overall prevalence for STH infection.

AIM
The study aimed to determine the prevalence, endemic species, and distribution and risk zones (RZs) for STH infections in Malaysia through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the data published between 1999 and 2019.

METHODS
This study employed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The databases used in this review include SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, OVID MEDLINE, and PUBMED. The random-effects model determined the pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) while Cochran’s Q-test evaluated the heterogeneity.

RESULTS
A total of 13240 samples were examined during the period under review with 6235 were infected with one or more species of STHs. The overall PPE for STH infections was 51% (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 34, 67). PPEs for sub-groups ranged between 13% (95% CI: 5, 22) and 69% (95% CI: 50, 87). Highest PPEs for STH infections were observed among aborigine children (69% 95% CI: 50, 87). Trichuris trichiura was the most prevalent species (46%, 95% CI: 27, 65). Over 46% (17/37) of the studies, especially among aborigine community and their area showed high-HRZ for STH infections.

CONCLUSION
STH infections involving T. trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms and Strongyloides stercoralis are highly prevalent among aborigine community. Primary and secondary prevention such as the use of anthelmintic, health education, and adequate sanitation was essential in the control of these infections in Malaysia to improve individual and community health.

Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine

Departmemt of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Departmemt of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

BACKGROUND
Prevention and control of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Malaysia remain a challenge, especially among aborigine and rural...

Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Publié en ligne: 19 févr. 2024

Pages: 48 - 55

Reçu: 12 janv. 2023

Accepté: 10 oct. 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2024.11467

Mots clés
Malaysia, Infection, Helminth

© 2024 Zulkefley Mohammad et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Malaysia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Publié en ligne: 19 févr. 2024

Pages: 48 - 55

Reçu: 12 janv. 2023

Accepté: 10 oct. 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2024.11467

Mots clésMalaysia, Infection, Helminth

© 2024 Zulkefley Mohammad et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Mots clés
Malaysia, Infection, Helminth