Control of Hookworm Infection in Primary Schools in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Abstract

Abstract

The control program for hookworm infection in primary schools via school teachers was conducted in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Four schools, two experimental and two control, were selected for study. The first two schools are located in an area where most inhabitants are gardeners and Buddhist. These are Chumchon Ban Phut-hong (experimental) and Wat Thara Wong (control) schools, in Ron Phibun District. The other two schools are located in an area where most people are fishermen and Muslim. Wat Phisan Sathit School (experimental) is in Muang District and Ban Sa Bua School (control) is in Tha Sala District. A KAP survey was conducted by questionnairing the school children (grades 3-5). Their fecal samples were collected and examined using Katz’s modified thick smear technique. Stool-positive children with hookworm or other soil-transmitted helminthes (eg, Ascaris and Trichuris) were given one tablet (100 mg) of mebendazole, twice daily for three consecutive days. Twenty-one days after the first treatment, fecal samples were recollected and examined. Infected cases were re-treated with the same regimen of mebendazole. All analyzed KAP data and fecal data were shown and explained to the teachers, who were involved in the programs at the two experimental schools, so as to gather concepts and make a control plan. One year later, the school children were interviewed again with the same set of questions. Their fecal samples were collected and examined. Although the children in the two experimental schools gained more knowledge and understanding of various aspects of hookworm infection, the highest (27.7%) and lowest (3.2%) reinfection rates were observed in Ban Sa Bua and Wat Thara Wong, which were both control schools.

Keywords : Control, hookworm, primary school, Thailand