Hookworm Infestation amongst the Orang Asli (aboriginal) Children at Pos Lenjang, Pahang, Malaysia.

Introduction: Hookworm infestation is one of the most common intestinal parasitic infections which cause anemia and malnutrition, mainly affecting those with poor socioeconomic status. Hookworm infection is still widely prevalent among aborigines in Malaysia. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of hookworm infestation among the Orang Asli (aboriginal) children at Pos Lenjang, Pahang, Malaysia Materials & methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out among 71 volunteered aboriginal children aged between 1 to 12 years old (31 boys and 40 girls). The stool specimens were collected and screened for hookworm ova by the direct faecal smear method followed by formalin ether concentration technique. Results: The overall prevalence of hookworm infestation in this population is 14.1%. The highest infection rate was observed in school children aged between 7 - 12 years (24.3%) with males (19.4%) dominating over females (10%). The formalin ether concentration technique had shown a higher percentage of detection (90%) for hookworm ova as compared to the direct faecal smear (20%). Conclusion: Hookworm infestation among the aboriginal children at Pos Lenjang, Pahang still indicates a relatively low health standard of this indigenous community. Improving socioeconomic status, including enhanced access to quality health care and adequate sanitation has the potential to significantly reduce the prevalence and intensity of this infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]