Soil-transmitted helminthiasis among children in Pulau Ketam, West Malaysia
Kan, S.P.; Singh, M.; Singh, S.
Medical Journal of Malaysia 42(1): 40-43
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283 PMID: 3431501 Document Number: 293473
A survey showed that only 8.4% of 1286 Chinese children, aged 5 to 12 years, in Pulau Ketam, Malaysia, were infected with soil-transmitted helminths. 94.5% of the children had single infections (Trichuris trichiura, 54.4% or Ascaris lumbricoides, 45.6%). 4.6% had mixed infections. Worm burdens were low. There was no significant difference in distribution of infection between sexes or age groups. The primary factors contributing to low prevalence and intensity of infection on the island were the absence of suitable soil for helminth development and survival, and lack of contact with contaminated soil. Despite appallingly poor environmental sanitation due to lack of facilities for disposal of sewage and garbage, together with chronic water shortage and limited food supply other than fish, intestinal helminths were remarkably rare on this island in west Malaysia. This low prevalence (only 8.4% of 1286 children infected) is due to the fact that all buildings are on stilts above ground which is regularly flooded by the tide. [Disposal of faeces directly into the sea provides excellent sanitation combined with good fish food.]R.W. Ashford.