TINJAUAN LITERATURE TENTANG INFEKSI HELMINTHES PADA MANUSIA DAN HEWAN SERTA UPAYA PENCEGAHANNYA

Abstract

Helminth infection remains one of the major public health problems in developing countries, including Indonesia. This disease is caused by various species of parasitic worms, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, Taenia solium, and several other helminths that infect both humans and animals. This study aimed to review previous research on helminth infections, including their risk factors, identification methods, impacts on physical and mental health, and prevention strategies using a literature review approach. The data were obtained from ten scientific articles published between 2022 and 2026, covering various helminth infections in humans and animals. The review revealed that poor personal hygiene, inadequate environmental sanitation, walking barefoot, and consuming improperly processed food are the major risk factors for helminth infections. Microscopic examination remains the most commonly used diagnostic method, while molecular techniques such as Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (Nested PCR) provide greater specificity in certain cases. The findings also indicate that parasitic infections affect not only physical health, causing anemia, nutritional deficiencies, impaired growth, and severe complications such as neurocysticercosis, but are also associated with mental health disorders and decreased academic performance among children infected with Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH). Therefore, strengthening health education, promoting Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (CHLB), improving environmental sanitation, encouraging early diagnosis, and implementing regular deworming programs are essential strategies to reduce the prevalence of helminth infections and minimize their impact on public health.