USU Combats STH Infections

Researchers from Faculty of Social Science and Political Science (FISIP), Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Indonesia, have conducted an educational initiative to combat soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, targeting approximately 250 primary school children across three schools in Nias Regency, Indonesia.

The research team has developed two educational comic books addressing various aspects of STH infections. In addition to the comics, the educational programme introduces key messages on worm infection prevention through songs in the Nias language. The children have responded positively to the initiative, finding the materials easy to understand, enjoying reading the comics, and enthusiastically participating in group singing activities.

The initiative is supported by the 2025–2026 Joint WHO Western Pacific Region/TDR Impact Grants for Implementation Research for Regional Priorities, which supports implementation research addressing regional health priorities.

Beyond school-based activities, the research team, led by Dr. Fotarisman Zaluchu, has also extended its educational efforts to local communities through the involvement of the BNKP (Nias Protestant Christian Church), supported by Rev. Dr. Dorkas O Daeli. The USU research team brings together expertise from different academic disciplines, including anthropology, represented by Prof. Dr. Nurman Achmad, and communication studies, represented by Dr. Yovita Sabarina Sitepu. This interdisciplinary approach seeks to integrate health education, local cultural knowledge, and effective communication strategies to strengthen community-based STH control efforts.