Abstract:
Soil-Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Nan province and efforts are underway to decrease the transmission. The study aim to assess the effectiveness of participatory learning school-based intervention toward knowledge, attitude, preventive behaviors and incidence of helminthes infections among primary school students. Total 132 students (67 in experimental and 65 in control group) from grades 4-6, primary school students at Bo Kluea district were selected from three ethnic minority groups in November 2013 - August 2014. Students were approached through a self-administered validated, pretested and poilted tools, additionally samples for stool examination were also collected after taking the ethical approval. Stool examinations were using Kato-Katz thick smear. The experimental group score significantly higher on all aspects of a test of STH- related knowledge, attitudes and prevention behaviors compared with comparison group (p = 0.001). In a generalized linear model at follow up the experimental group was o.46 time as likely to STH as infections than the comparison group. In conclusion, participatory learning school-based intervention increase student knowledge, attitude about STH and lead to changes in behavior and reduce incidence of infection within school. Therefore, this study should be benefit to other primary school.
