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.