The Association of Hygiene and Sanitation Towards the Successful Therapy of Ascariasis using Betel Nut (Areca catechu L.)Extract Tablet

Abstract

There is a significant association between the occurrences of ascariasis with sanitation and hygiene (Yulianto, 2007). Currently there are tablets formulated from betel nut extract for the treatment of ascariasis that is expected to be used in health care (Nuri, 2007). The purpose of this study is to find a relationship between hygienic sanitation with the successful therapy using betel nut extract tablets in ascariasis patients. This research is a cross sectional study conducted at several elementary schools in Mumbulsari District, Jember in July-August 2010. The data being observed are ascariasis patients that have undergone clinical trials and receive therapy using a betel nut extract tablet which has been done by Palupi (2010). Questionnaire data are obtained by asking subjects to fill out questionnaires and interviews with questions about hygiene and sanitation. The data obtained is analyzed by Fisher's Exact Test. The results are presented in tabular forms and described in narrative form. The results of data analysis showed no relationship between hygiene (habits: washing hand, cutting nails, eating raw foods) and sanitation (latrine ownership, type of floors, water supply) with the successful therapy using betel nut extract tablet in ascariasis patients. This is evident from the results of Fisher's Exact Test that has a p-value more than 0.05, which means less significant. The conclusion of this study is that there is no association between hygiene and sanitation towards the successful therapy of ascariasis using betel nut (Areca catechu L) extract tablet.