Knowledge, attitude and practices towards soil-transmitted helminthiases among orang asli in Sungai Lembing, Pahang / Munirah Mokhtar

Nowadays, soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STHs) has been classified as the most prevalent neglected tropical disease (NTD) which contributes to approximately 135,000 morbidity cases annually. As one of the developing country, Malaysian Government are attention on establishing and improving the effective approach for infection and morbidity control. Noticeably, the local knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding STH infection is vital control measure in minimizing the morbidity cases. However, the KAP information which is prized in control programs was identified as scanty and less clearly described in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 225 Orang Asli in Sungai Lembing, Pahang aimed to evaluate their KAP on STH infection by using pre-tested questionnaire. Fecal samples were collected using wide mouth and screw-caps container and examined by using modified formalin-ether sedimentation and Kato-Katz technique. The present study revealed that 174 (77.3%) respondents were found to be infected with at least one species of STH. The predominant species of STH infected to respondents were Trichuris trichiura with a prevalence 68.9%, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (49.3%) and hookworm (5.8%). Significant associations between knowledge of respondents and their monthly income (p < 0.001), family members (p < 0.001) and educational level (p = 0.011). Moreover, significant association between attitude and practices of respondents with their household monthly income (p = 0.038) and family members (p < 0.001) reported. Based on Kato katz technique, T. trichiura infection demonstrated as the highest infected participants with heavy worm burden at 95.4%, followed by A. lumbricoides (50%) and hookworm (36.3%). This study reveals inadequate of knowledge, attitude and practices on STH infection among Orang Asli in rural Malaysia. These findings could significantly improve the implementation an integrated and effective control measures towards STH infection. Moreover, it is useful for public health authority in changing the trend of the particular infections in rural area which remains unchanged since 1920s with alarming high prevalence and prominent morbidity.