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

<p><italic>Trichuris trichiura</italic> is a soil-transmitted helminth prevalent in developing countries with poor, inadequate sanitation and unsafe water sources. In Malaysia, the prevalence of trichuriasis is relatively high among the aboriginal community due to poverty and poor sanitation. However, there are few studies to determine the seasonal variation on the prevalence and risk factors to acquire <italic>Trichuris trichiura</italic> infection in Malaysia. The present study found higher <italic>Trichuris trichiura</italic> infection during the dry season (63.6%; 138/217) in comparison to the wet season (55.5%; 142/256). Low household income, low education level and practice of open defecation were significant risk factors to acquire <italic>Trichuris trichiura</italic> infection during the wet season. Usage of untreated water supplies for daily activities was a risk factor to acquire trichuriasis during the dry season. This study highlighted that poverty and poor sanitation practices as well as drinking untreated water put the aborigines at high risk to acquire trichuriasis. Therefore, health education, improved sanitation and provision of treated water supply are recommended for the prevention and control of <italic>Trichuris trichiura</italic> infections in the aboriginal community.</p></abstract>

Trichuris trichiura is a soil-transmitted helminth prevalent in developing countries with poor, inadequate sanitation and unsafe water sources. In Malaysia, the prevalence of trichuriasis is relatively high among the aboriginal community due to poverty and poor sanitation. However, there are few studies to determine the seasonal variation on the prevalence and risk factors to acquire Trichuris trichiura infection in Malaysia. The present study found higher Trichuris trichiura infection during the dry season (63.6%; 138/217) in comparison to the wet season (55.5%; 142/256). Low household income, low education level and practice of open defecation were significant risk factors to acquire Trichuris trichiura infection during the wet season. Usage of untreated water supplies for daily activities was a risk factor to acquire trichuriasis during the dry season. This study highlighted that poverty and poor sanitation practices as well as drinking untreated water put the aborigines at high risk to acquire trichuriasis. Therefore, health education, improved sanitation and provision of treated water supply are recommended for the prevention and control of Trichuris trichiura infections in the aboriginal community.

Role of seasonal variation on the prevalence and risk factors of trichuriasis among the aboriginal community in Malaysia

Helminthologia

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

Trichuris trichiura is a soil-transmitted helminth prevalent in developing countries with poor, inadequate sanitation and unsafe water sources. In Malaysia,...

Role of seasonal variation on the prevalence and risk factors of trichuriasis among the aboriginal community in Malaysia

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: May 04, 2022

Page range: 55 - 63

Received: Apr 22, 2020

Accepted: Dec 31, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2022-0004

Keywords
low socio-economy, open defecation, untreated water, aborigines, season

© 2022 S. A. Noradilah, T. S. Anuar, I. L. Lee, published by Sciendo

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

Role of seasonal variation on the prevalence and risk factors of trichuriasis among the aboriginal community in Malaysia

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: May 04, 2022

Page range: 55 - 63

Received: Apr 22, 2020

Accepted: Dec 31, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2022-0004

Keywordslow socio-economy, open defecation, untreated water, aborigines, season

© 2022 S. A. Noradilah, T. S. Anuar, I. L. Lee, published by Sciendo

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

Keywords
low socio-economy, open defecation, untreated water, aborigines, season