KONTAMINASI TELUR SOIL TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS (STH) PADA BUAH-BUAHAN DI PASAR INDUK JAKABARING KOTA PALEMBANG

Background: Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) infection is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs), which is still a main health problem in Indonesia. This disease could occur due to various factors, such as the habit of not washing the fruit before consumption. Consumption of fruits helps meet nutritional needs to protect the body from various diseases. This research aimed to determine whether there is STH egg contamination in fruits sold at the Jakabaring Central Market. Methods: This research was a descriptive-observational study. The fruit sample were collected from Jakabaring Central Market. The total number of samples was 50 fruits consisted of Citrus sinensis, Cucumis melo, Ananas Comosus, Musa sp. and Citrullus lanatus. The sample processing was carried out using the sedimentation method. About 200 grams of fruit skin samples were immersed in 0.2% NaOH. Microscopic observations were done at the Biooptic Laboratory and Medical Chemistry Laboratory of FK Unsri. Results: A total of 9 (18%) samples were showed positive results of STH contamination, which were 7 samples of Ananas comosus (14%) and 2 samples of Citrullus lanatus (4%). Of the 9 positive samples that were positive, 35 Ascaris lumbricoides infertile-decorticated eggs were found. Conclusion: Contamination of STH eggs were detected on fruits in Jakabaring Central Market Palembang City. Keywords: STH, contamination, fruits, central market, Palembang