Soil contamination and infections by soil-transmitted helminths in an endemic village in southern Thailand.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to test the association between soil contamination and infection of the household members by soil-transmitted helminths in dry and rainy seasons. A lake-side community in southern Thailand with a population of 2,340 was studied twice, in the dry season and rainy season of 1995. Fifty households were randomly selected. Soil samples near the latrine, in the yard, at the foot-washing area and under the trees were taken and analysed for presence of helminthic eggs. All members of the selected household were interviewed and stool samples obtained. Age-adjusted odds ratios of presence of Ascaris and Trichuris eggs in the household soil for ascariasis and trichuriasis were 10.5 (95% CI 1.5-77.1) and 5.5 (95% CI 2.4-12.7) in dry season and 10.4 (95% CI 2.5-43.8) and 8.3 (95% CI 3.4-20.0) in rainy season. The levels of hookworm eggs detected in the soil were too low to test the association. Soil analysis for eggs of Ascaris and Trichuris may be used to predict infections among the household members but not that for hookworm.