Prevalence and Risk Factors of Taeniasis In Bali, Indonesia

Taeniasis is a neglected infectious disease caused by eating raw or undercooked beef/ pork (Taenia sp.) containing infective cysticercus larvae. Humans can become infected with these tapeworms by eating raw or undercooked beef (T. saginata) or pork (T. solium and T. asiatica). In rural areas of Gianyar including Guwang village, pork or beef "lawar" and roasted pig are consumed as local traditional food since long time ago as part of indegenous Balinese culture. The existence of individual slaughtering of pigs in Guwang village for ceremonies or parties without supervision from the animal health department is thought to increase the risk of taeniasis. Purpose of the study was to known prevalence of taeniasis in Banjar Buluh, Guwang Village and determine risk factors or the relationship between meat consumption and individual characteristics with taeniasis. Observational cross sectional study was used to identify taeniasis and risk factors in people living at Buluh, Guwang village consisted of 110 people. Two subjects from the group were positive for taenia egg both by direct smear methods. Proportion of taeniasis in the case group was 1.8%. The type of meat consumed, methods of meat processing, frequency of consumption, ways of obtaining meat and individual characteristics which may contribute to Taenia infection could not be evaluated due to limited number of positive cases.