Prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections and association with hygiene knowledge among primary schoolchildren in Salahutu and Leihitu districts, Central Maluku regency, Indonesia.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections and to determine the association with hygiene knowledge among primary schoolchildren in Central Maluku regency, Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among fourth- and fifth-grade primary schoolchildren during May to June 2015. Stool specimens were examined using direct and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining methods. Hygiene knowledge was obtained from a pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS® version 22.0 statistic software. Of the 170 students surveyed, 69 (40.6%) were infected with one (32.9%) or more (7.7%) intestinal protozoans. The age ranged from 8 to less than 15 years old. The most frequent protozoan detected was Cryptosporidium sp. (24.7%), followed by Entamoeba coli (13.5%), Giardia lamblia (5.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (3.5%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.6%), and Iodamoeba bütschlii (0.6%). The most frequently detected multi-infection was Cryptosporidium sp. with E. coli (4.1%). Only 10 of 170 students had lack of knowledge regarding hygiene, nevertheless this is a significant risk factor for intestinal protozoan infections (P < 0.05). Education on personal and environmental hygiene should be improved and implemented to prevent and control intestinal protozoan infections in this population.