Identifikasi STH (Soil-Transmitted Helminth) pada Kuku Tangan Penjual Tanaman di Daerah Surabaya Timur

Infeksi Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) merupakan penyakit yang masih menjadi masalah kesehatan masyarakat, terutama pada kelompok yang sering berkontak langsung dengan tanah, seperti penjual tanaman. Kuku tangan yang kurang terjaga kebersihannya berpotensi menjadi media penularan cacing golongan Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi keberadaan Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) pada kuku tangan penjual tanaman di Surabaya Timur. Jenis Penelitian adalah penelitian deskriptif dengan Teknik sampling purposive sampling. Sampel penelitian berupa 23 kuku tangan penjual tanaman yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Pemeriksaan dilakukan menggunakan metode flotasi dengan larutan NaCl jenuh, kemudian diamati secara mikroskopis di Laboratorium Parasitologi Fakultas Ilmu Kesehatan Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa seluruh sampel (23 sampel) memberikan hasil negatif (100%), karena tidak ditemukan telur, larva, maupun cacing Soil Transmitted Helminth. Tidak ditemukannya STH pada seluruh sampel dikuatkan dengan penerapan personal hygiene yang baik berdasarkan data dari pengisian kuisioner, seperti mencuci tangan menggunakan sabun, menjaga kebersihan kuku, serta penggunaan alat pelindung diri saat bekerja.

Kata kunci: Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH), kuku tangan, penjual tanaman, metode flotasi, NaCl jenuh

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Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a public health issue, particularly among groups that frequently come into direct contact with soil, such as plant sellers. Fingernails that are not properly maintained can potentially serve as a medium for the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths (STH). This study aims to identify the presence of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) on the fingernails of plant sellers in East Surabaya. This is a descriptive study using purposive sampling. The study sample consisted of 23 fingernails from plant sellers who met the inclusion criteria. Examination was conducted using the flotation method with a saturated NaCl solution, followed by microscopic observation at the Parasitology Laboratory of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya. The results showed that all samples (23 samples) tested negative (100%), as no eggs, larvae, or Soil-Transmitted Helminth worms were detected. The absence of STH in all samples was supported by the practice of good personal hygiene, as indicated by questionnaire responses, such as washing hands with soap, maintaining nail hygiene, and using personal protective equipment while working.
Keywords: Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH), fingernails, plant sellers, flotation method, saturated NaCl