Intestinal parasites of humans in a highland community of Irian Jaya, Indonesia

An indigenous, highland community in the Oksibil Valley of Irian Jaya, Indonesia, was examined on two occasions to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Overall, 478 subjects from three villages in the study area, about 10% of the available population, were sampled. Using a standard, wet-mount technique, 15 different species of parasites were found. Hookworm was predominant in all age groups, with prevalences of 51%-86%, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (46%-57%) and Trichuris trichiura (15%-25%). Strongyloides stercoralis was only seen infrequently (<1%). In general, intestinal protozoa were uncommon. Entamoeba histolytica (14%-20%) and Entamoeba coli (12%-17%) were the most frequent. Sex- and age-specific differences were not dramatic but prevalences and species diversity both increased with age up to 6-15 years, then decreased slightly into adulthood. Rarely were faecal samples free of detectable parasites and some adult subjects had as many as six species. The results are discussed with respect to previous studies in the highlands of New Guinea and the local transmission of soil- and water-borne parasites.