Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Elementary School-Age Children After Covid-19 Pandemic
Hanna Mutiara(1*), Betta Kurniawan(1), and Anggraeni Janar Wulan(2)

1Department Parasitology, Medical Faculty, University of Lampung, Indonesia
*hanna.mutiara[at]fk.unila.ac.id
2Department Anatomy, Medical Faculty, University of Lampung, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Since its detection in Wuhan, it has spread and become a pandemic. This situation has forced people to change their behavior, such as wearing masks and washing hands frequently. It is expected that these measures will not only impact preventing the transmission of COVID-19 but also prevent the occurrence of other infectious diseases, such as intestinal protozoa infection which transmitted by the fecal-oral route. These infection can cause digestive disorders and malabsorption of nutrients, which is particularly risky in children. Intestinal parasite infection is still a health problem, especially in developing countries.
Purpose: The study aims to assess the prevalence of intestinal protozoa infection in elementary school children in Lampung Province, Indonesia after Covid-19 pandemic.
Methods: The study was designed as cross-sectional, conducted from December 2022 to March 2023. The subjects were selected through total sampling from 262 students attending public elementary schools, aged 6-12 years old. Fresh stool samples were collected and examined using direct methods, concentration, and modified acid-fast techniques.
Results: Out of the 262 subjects, 110 children (41.98%) did not provide a stool specimen, so they were excluded. Among the 151 children (58.02%) who participated, 96 (63.16%) were infected. Of those infected, 62 (64.58%) had a single intestinal protozoa infection, and 34 (35.42%) had multiple infections.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infection is still high among the subjects. Therefore, it is necessary to increase environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, and health education regarding potential risk factors.

Keywords: children, infection, intestinal, parasite, protozoa

Topic: Maternal and child health