Relationship between Personal Hygiene and Ascaris lumbricoides Infection

Abstract

Background and Objective: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are diseases caused by parasitic worms, including Ascaris lumbricoides, transmitted through contaminated soil. In Indonesia, STH infection is a significant public health issue, with prevalence rates ranging from 45% to 65%, and up to 80% in areas with poor sanitation. Understanding factors such as personal hygiene is crucial for designing effective prevention strategies. This study aims to investigate the association between personal hygiene and Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Methods: A quantitative descriptive approach was used with secondary data analysis from a public dataset on personal hygiene and Ascaris lumbricoides infection, comprising 80 data points and 5 variables. Univariate analysis was performed using frequency distribution, and bivariate analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney test to assess the relationship between personal hygiene and Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Results: The study found a significant association between personal hygiene and Ascaris lumbricoides infection. The Mann-Whitney test results showed a significance value of 0.031, indicating a significant difference between individuals with good and poor hygiene in relation to the level of worm infection. Conclusion: Personal hygiene is significantly associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Improving personal hygiene can help reduce the prevalence of STH infections, particularly in areas with high infection rates.