%0 Journal Article
%T The effect of albendazole toward anemia in children with soil-transmitted helminths infection in a remote and endemic area
%A Fitry B.J. Tambunan
%A Gladys Kusumowidagdo
%A Meutia N. Gozali
%A Saleha Sungkar
%A Sri Wahdini
%J -
%D 2018
%R https://doi.org/10.13181/mji.v27i4.2857
%X Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections lead to nutritional disorder and anemia among children. Albendazole 400 mg is used to control STH, although it has a low cure rate for Trichuris trichiura. The effectiveness of albendazole could be increased by giving a dose of 400 mg for 3 consecutive days. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the triple-dose albendazole 400 mg course in decreasing STH and anemia prevalence. Methods: This study used an experimental comparative design conducted in July 2016 and January 2017 in Perobatang Village, Southwest Sumba, Indonesia. Children aged 1¨C15 years were asked to collect fecal samples to be examined using a Kato-Katz method. Hemoglobin level (Hb) was tested using a rapid test diagnostic strip. STH positive subjects were given 400 mg of albendazole for 3 days witnessed by the researchers. Six months after, the stool samples and Hb levels were re-examined (post-test). Results: From the 156 subjects examined (pretest), the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm were 65.4%, 55.8%, and 15.4%, respectively, and the prevalence of anemia was 71.2%. On post-test, the prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and hookworm decreased to 8.3%, 12.8%, and 0%, respectively, and the prevalence of anemia decreased to 25%. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of STH infection and anemia before and after the administration of triple-dose albendazole (p=0.001). Conclusion: The triple-dose albendazole is effective in reducing the prevalence of STH and anemia in children with STH infection
%K albendazole
%K anemia
%K soil-transmitted helminths
%K triple dose
%U http://mji.ui.ac.id/journal/index.php/mji/article/view/2857