Prevalensi Kontaminasi Soil-Transmitted Helminth (STH) pada Kuku Penjual Tanaman di Daerah Surabaya Barat

Infeksi Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) masih menjadi masalah kesehatan masyarakat, terutama pada kelompok pekerja yang sering berkontak langsung dengan tanah, seperti penjual tanaman. Kuku tangan yang kurang terjaga kebersihannya dapat menjadi media kontaminasi telur cacing sehingga meningkatkan risiko penularan infeksi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui prevalensi kontaminasi Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) pada kuku penjual tanaman di daerah Surabaya Barat. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif dengan teknik total sampling. Pemeriksaan menggunakan metode sedimentasi dengan larutan NaOH 0,2% dan diamati secara mikroskopis di Laboratorium Parasitologi Program Studi D3 Teknologi Laboratorium Medis Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dari 27 sampel yang diperiksa, sebanyak 3 sampel (11,1%) positif terkontaminasi Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH), sedangkan 24 sampel (88,9%) menunjukkan hasil negatif. Penerapan personal hygiene dan penggunaan alat pelindung diri secara konsisten perlu ditingkatkan untuk mengurangi risiko kontaminasi.

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Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a public health issue, particularly among workers who frequently come into direct contact with soil, such as plant vendors. Poor fingernail hygiene can facilitate the contamination of helminth eggs, thereby increasing the risk of infection transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) contamination on the fingernails of plant vendors in West Surabaya. This was a descriptive study utilizing a total sampling technique. Examinations were conducted using the sedimentation method with a 0.2% NaOH solution, and samples were observed microscopically at the Parasitology Laboratory of the Medical Laboratory Technology (Diploma III) Department at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya. The results showed that out of 27 samples examined, 3 samples (11.1%) tested positive for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) contamination, while 24 samples (88.9%) tested negative. Consistent application of personal hygiene practices and the use of personal protective equipment need to be improved to reduce the risk of contamination.