The Prevalence Of Intestinal Helminths, Intestinal Protozoa, Schistosomiasis, Filariasis And Malaria Among The Jehai Orang Asli Of The Temenggor Forest, Ulu Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

The Jehai is one of the group of “original people” (Aborigines) of Peninsular Malaysia, who live in the Belum and the Temenggor forest that straddles Upper Perak and in West Kelantan. Our study population are the Jehai who live in 4 villages. One Jehai village is located in Sungai Tekam river and the other three Jehai villages are located along the lakeside of Lake Temenggor. No health research has been done so far on this Jehai community. They live without safe water supply, electricity, latrines and proper garbage disposal. Their incomes are low and unfixed; in fact their survival still depends on their ability to live creatively with their natural environment.

A total of 175 stool samples, preserved in 10% formalin or PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) were processed and stained using Trichrome, modified Ziehl-Neelsen and iodine stains and examined under microscope to identify the eggs of intestinal helminths and intestinal protozoa. The prevalence rates of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm among the Jehai were 70.8%, 24.0%, and 10.9% respectively. The prevalence of Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis hominis, and microsporidium were 40.6%, 33.7%, 25.7%, 91.4%, and 27.4% respectively . The difference in prevalence among the gender, age and ethnic groups were found to be not significant. The age group 0-9 years old had the highest prevalence rate of all the intestinal parasites.

A total of 157 finger-prick blood samples were made into thin and thick blood smears, stained with 10% Giemsa and examined with microscope. We found the overall infection rate of Brugia malayi and Plasmodium vivax were 1.27% and 12.1 % respectively. The overall prevalence of Schistosoma spp. specific antibody positive by ELISA test was 20.4%. Seventy three point two (73.2) percent were found to be anaemic with an overall mean haemoglobin concentration of 9.6 g/dl. We also found positive associations between anaemia with the hookworm and malaria infections.

In conclusion, high prevalence rate of intestinal parasite infections and Schistosoma sp. were found in these Jehai. Poor sanitation and poor living conditions probably contribute to these findings. Relatively low prevalence rates of filariasis and malaria could have resulted from the Jehai unknown immunity systems or their genetic variability. High prevalence of anaemia was due to their poor nutrition and high intestinal parasite infections. The present study represents the first investigation on parasitic infections among such a large group of Jehai after their change from a nomadic existence to a government sponsored resettlement.