Roca, Leah Mariz S.

Factors that can cause Ascariasis:

 Exposure to contaminated dirt

- Ascariasis is caused by ingesting infective eggs. This can happen when hands or
fingers that have contaminated dirt on them are put in the mouth or by consuming
vegetables or fruits that have not been carefully cooked, washed or peeled.
 Use of human feces as fertilizer
- In some areas, people use human feces as fertilizer. Contaminated feces containing
Ascaris eggs can lie in fields, streets and yards. The eggs can survive extreme
temperature and humidity, often for years.
People may swallow the tiny eggs when they:
(1) Touch contaminated soil and then put their hands in or near their mouths.
(2) Eat fruits and vegetables grown in the infected soil without washing, peeling and
cooking the produce.
 Poor socioeconomic conditions
- Ascaris lumbricoides is a soil transmitted intestinal nematode common in poor
socioeconomic communities where limited access to clean water, poor personal
hygiene and sanitary facilities is widespread. People of all ages are susceptible to
infection, with the highest morbidity found in children due to low levels of acquired
immunity and high exposure to contaminated soil.
 Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Unwashed fruits or vegetables grown in contaminated soil also can transmit the
ascariasis eggs. It can also harbor parasites, so ensure you always buy fresh products
from a reputable source, wash it properly and prepare it well. Consuming improperly
washed fruits and vegetables is a major way in which human pathogens are
transmitted because of poor hygienic practices related to planting, harvesting,
packing, transportation, and storage, fruits and vegetables can become easily
contaminated with parasites.
 Visiting or living in a subtropical or tropical area
- Ascariasis is the most common human helminthic infection globally. The burden is
highest in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in areas with inadequate
sanitation. The eggs from the parasite are passed in human feces and can
contaminate the soil. The eggs survive best in warm, humid areas and must grow in
the soil before they can infect others. Most cases occur in tropical and subtropical
areas of Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Americas.