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Fulltext Intestinal parasitic infections in man: a review

Norhayati M, Fatmah MS, Yusof S, Edariah AB

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Jun;58(2):296-305; quiz 306.
PMID: 14569755

Intestinal parasites of importance to man are Enterobius vermicularis, the soil-transmitted helminthes (STH)--Ascaris lumbricoides Tricburis trichiura, bookworms (Necator americans/Ancylostoma duodenale) and Strongyloides stercoralis and the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia duodenalis. Other protozoa such as Cryptosporidium sp. and Isopora sp. are becoming important in causing prolonged diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. It is estimated that almost 1 billion, 500 million and 900 million people worldwide are infected by the major nematode species--A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworms respectively. Most of the infections are endemic and widely distributed throughout poor and socio-economically deprived communities in the tropics and subtropics. Environmental, socio-economic, demographic and health-related behavior is known to influence the transmission and distribution of these infections. In giardiasis, one study indicates that age < or = 12 years and the presence of family members infected with Giardia were risk factors for infection. Most of the infections occur in children and both genders are equally affected. Epidemiological studies of STH infections have shown that the prevalence and intensity of infection are highest among children 4-15 years of age. The frequency of distribution of STH infections is over-dispersed and highly aggregated. areas reinfection can occur as early as 2 months post-treatment, and by 4 months, almost half of the population treated become reinfected. By 6 months the intensity of infection was similar to pretreatment level.

Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/prevention & control
Soil-transmitted helminthiases in Malaysia: a socioeconomic and public health problem

Kan SP

Public Health Rev, 1988;16(1-2):127-47.
PMID: 3073434
Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/prevention & control
Fulltext A tale of two communities: intestinal polyparasitism among Orang Asli and Malay communities in rural Terengganu, Malaysia

Elyana FN, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Ithoi I, Abdulsalam AM, Dawaki S, Nasr NA, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2016 07 16;9(1):398.
PMID: 27422533 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1678-z

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are still major health problems in many developing countries including Malaysia, particularly in the poor and socioeconomically deprived rural and remote communities in Peninsular Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of IPIs and to identify the key factors associated with intestinal polyparasitism as well as to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) on IPIs among rural Orang Asli and Malay communities in Terengganu, Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 participants (165 Orang Asli and 175 Malay) aged ≤ 15 years from the Hulu Terengganu and Kemaman districts of Terengganu. Faecal samples were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by using direct smear, formalin-ether sedimentation, trichrome stain, modified Ziehl Neelsen stain, in vitro cultivation in Jones' medium, Kato Katz and Harada Mori techniques. Demographic, socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural information of the participants and their KAP for IPIs were collected by using a pre-tested questionnaire.
RESULTS: Overall, 149 (90.3 %) Orang Asli and 43 (24.6 %) Malay children were infected by at least one parasite species. The overall prevalences of intestinal polyparasitism among the Orang Asli and Malay were 68.5 % (113/165) and 14.3 % (25/175), respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that using unsafe water supply as a source for drinking water, the presence of domestic animals, not wearing shoes when outside, not washing vegetables before consumption, not washing hands after playing with soil, indiscriminate defecation and the low level of mother's education were the key risk factors for intestinal polyparasitism among the Orang Asli, while working mothers and the presence of domestic animals were the risk factors among the Malay children. Almost all the Malays were well aware about the IPIs while Orang Asli respondents had a poor level of related awareness.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that IPIs are highly prevalent in rural Terengganu, Malaysia. Community awareness about IPIs was found to be imperative in protecting Malay children from these infections. An integrated control programme for the prevention and control of IPIs is highly recommended for these communities, with a special emphasis on the Orang Asli population.

Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/prevention & control
Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminthiases in Malaysia

Ahmed A, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Surin J

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2011 May;42(3):527-38.
PMID: 21706930

We reviewed the epidemiology of STH in Malaysia from the 1970s to 2009. High prevalence rates persist among the rural Aborigines, estate workers and in urban slums and squatter areas. Trichuris trichiura is the most prevalent helminth in Malaysia ranging from 2.1% to 98.2%. Ascaris lumbricoides follows closely with a prevalence rate of 4.6-86.7%, while hookworm is the least prevalent (0-37.0%). A countrywide control program with special emphasis on school-based intervention is highly recommended among aboriginal people.

Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/prevention & control