Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health
Vol. 10 No. 4 (2025)

Environmental Risk Factors and Hookworm Infection  among Schoolchildren in Rural Areas of Indonesia

Sedionoto, Blego (Unknown)
Azmiardi, Akhmad (Unknown)
Anamnart, Witthaya (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
16 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of hookworm infection is a serious public health concern globally. Java Island and Kalimantan Island have differential environmental risk factors of hookworm infection, espe­cial­ly in rural areas of Indonesia, which have high-risk environmental factors for the prevalence of hook­worm infection. This study aimed to investigate the infection rates and correlation between environmental risk factors and the prevalence of hookworm infection. Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 226 school children from rural East Java province, Central Java Province, and East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. A simple random sampling method was applied to select participants from each school area. This study used two diagnostic methods: Kato Katz and Koga agar plate culture/KAP culture for diagnosing hookworm infections. Environmental variables examined included soil texture, organic carbon content, clay content, soil pH, rainfall volume, number of rainy days, humidity, temperature, elevation, vegetation type, and pet infection status. Pearson's chi-square analysis was used to study the correlation between environmental factors and hookworm infection. Results: Hookworm, Strongyloides sp, and Ascaris sp infections were found in this study; 137 (60.63%), 25 (11.1%), and 124 (9.84%), respectively. Environmental risk factors such as rainy season, quality of soil, and infection with hookworm in pets have a significant correlation (p<0.050) with hookworm infection among schoolchildren in a rural area in Indonesia. Conclusion: The prevalence of hookworm infection correlates with environmental factors, and the findings in this research could contribute to decreasing the prevalence of hookworm infection, espe­cially among schoolchildren in rural areas.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jepublichealth

Publisher

Subject

Public Health

Description

Background: Increased blood pressure for a long time can increase the risk of kidney failure, co­ronary heart disease, brain damage, and other di­seases. In 2019, it is estimated that hyper­tens­ion is experienced by 1.13 billion people in the world with most (two thirds) living in low and ...