Table 4.
Risk factors significantly associated with soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections among the Orang Asli subgroups as determined by multivariate logistic regression model
| Significant risk factors | OR (95% CI) | P |
|---|---|---|
| Temuan subgroup* | ||
| Low household income family | 1.68 (1.32–2.84) | 0.045† |
| No toilet at home | 2.16 (2.03–3.44) | 0.024† |
| Open/indiscriminate defecation | 1.24 (1.02–1.50) | 0.015 |
| Walking barefoot outside the house | 1.37 (1.10–1.87) | 0.032† |
| Not wash hand before eating | 3.10 (1.73–13.19) | 0.010† |
| Close contact with domestic animal | 2.23 (1.30–3.82) | 0.003† |
| Semelai subgroup‡ | ||
| Being a child | 19.91 (7.00–56.66) | < 0.001† |
| No formal education | 2.35 (1.61–3.42) | < 0.001 |
| Non working parents | 1.40 (1.13–1.73) | < 0.001 |
| Low household income family | 4.37 (1.25–15.22) | 0.014 |
| Untreated water supply | 2.17 (1.95–2.45) | 0.018† |
| Not wash hand before eating | 3.07 (1.37–25.41) | 0.020 |
| Jakun subgroup§ | ||
| Being a child | 1.28 (1.07–3.52) | 0.027 |
| Walking barefoot outside the house | 2.05 (1.06–3.98) | 0.019† |
| Close contact with domestic animal | 1.06 (1.01–1.15) | 0.048 |
| Mah Meri subgroup¶ | ||
| Being a child | 4.71 (1.12–19.70) | 0.026 |
| Non working parents | 1.54 (1.19–2.60) | 0.033† |
| Low household income family | 3.09 (1.85–11.21) | 0.030 |
| Defecated openly/indiscriminately | 5.69 (1.49–21.72) | 0.007 |
| Walking barefoot outside the house | 2.43 (1.87–6.80) | 0.038 |
| Close contact with domestic animal | 4.23 (1.57–11.42) | < 0.001† |
Reference groups marked as odds ratio (OR) = 1: high household income (> RM 500 per month); presence of toilet at home; proper latrine; wear shoes/sandal; wash hand properly before eating; absence/no contact with dogs or cats.
Variables were confirmed by multiple logistic regression analysis as significant predictors of STH.
Reference groups marked as OR = 1: adults (≥ 13 years); parent's educational attainment (at least primary school); working parents; high household income (> RM 500 per month); treated/government water supply; wash hands properly before eating.
Reference groups marked as OR = 1: adults (≥ 13 years); wear shoes/sandals; wash hands properly before eating; absence/no contact with dogs or cats.
Reference groups marked as OR = 1: adults (≥ 13 years); working parents; high household income (> RM 500 per month); proper latrine; wear shoes/sandals; wash hands properly before eating; absence/no contact with dogs or cats.