Community Engagement to Reduce Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections Among Mobile and Migrant Populations in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are neglected tropical diseases that disproportionately affect mobile and migrant populations (MMPs). With a high burden on low-and middle-income countries, especially in Southeast Asia (SEA), STH infection is associated with a lack of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and is often treated with mass drug administration (MDA) of anthelmintic medications, which fails to reach MMPs in transit. Community engagement (CE) is necessary to address the high burden of STH infection in MMPs and is characterized by participatory research and the integration of community voices, needs, and interests through self-governance and utilization of community assets. However, past STH literature commonly fails to incorporate CE in their interventions and programs. We conducted a literature review to contextualize STH infection among MMPs in SEA, identify vulnerable populations, and address the knowledge gap on the impacts of CE in reducing disease burden. By including community preferences and perceptions into MDA and surveillance programs, school-based control programs to promote health education, and the research process, including research development, data collection, and dissemination, community compliance with primary STH interventions can be improved. CE has proven effective in other geographical and health contexts, and the lessons learned may be applicable to the incorporation of CE in STH infection among MMPs in SEA. Our findings illustrate that leveraging and integrating the voices of MMPs through CE in integration with MDA and WASH may improve community support for STH interventions and effectively reduce STH infection among MMPs in SEA.