Challenges for national deworming policy in Indonesia: experience from Bandung district West Java']Java province

Aim The strategy of regular deworming has been the main STH control strategy recommended by the WHO for over a decade. In 2017, the Indonesian government also adapted this strategy by launching the Ministry of Health (MoH) Regulation No. 15 year 2017 regarding helminthiasis control. However, deworming effort is often hindered by various factors, including poor hygiene, habits, and irregular mass drug administration in developing countries. To obtain a picture of how the deworming regulation is carried out and key challenges in Indonesia, this study investigated deworming conducted in Bandung District-one of the densest areas in Indonesia. Subject and methods The main methodology was qualitative using published documents, interview and focus group discussion with related agencies such as MoH, Bandung District Health Office, primary health care and cadres (community participants). Results From this study, we discovered incompleteness and inconsistency of conduct-even within a relatively small area such as Bandung District. Moreover, this study also found that deworming is combined with stunting programs in some areas without proper study directly correlating the improvement of nutritional status with reduced incidence of STH. Conclusions This study has demonstrated the challenges sustaining a consistent nationwide campaign over a wide area such as in Indonesia. In conclusion, we recommended that further nationwide evaluation is required-placing emphasis on dissemination of policy to ensure more standardized conduct.