Surveillance Evaluation of the Prevalence of Childhood Helminthiasis in Toisapu Public Elementary School in Ambon City

Helminthiasis remains a prevalent health problem worldwide. School-aged children are particularly vulnerable to various infections, with helminthiasis being a common concern. Studies have shown a prevalence of helminthiasis as high as 85.9% among elementary school children. To evaluate the prevalence in its working area, Technical Center for Environmental Health and Disease Control (BTKLPP) Class II Ambon conducts surveillance activities. This study employed a descriptive observational design with a cross-sectional approach. It involved 60 elementary school students from grades III, IV, and V at Toisapu Elementary School in Ambon City with accidental sampling. Stool samples were analyzed using microscopy and the Nafis staining method. Interestingly, the study found that most participants were male (63.33%). Additionally, a significant portion of students reported deworming twice a year (53.33%), using private toilets (78.33%), and practicing good hygiene by washing hands before eating (86.67%). Notably, all students (100%) demonstrated knowledge about the signs and transmission of helminthiasis. Despite these positive findings, laboratory examinations revealed a lower prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection (2.1%). Only one female student in grade four tested positive for Ascaris Lumbricoides worms. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive helminthiasis control strategy. This strategy should encompass health promotion and education initiatives, strengthened surveillance systems, targeted interventions to address risk factors, and effective case management.