Table 4 Multivariate analysis of factors associated with polyparasitism among Orang Asli and Malay children in Terengganu (n = 340)

 Gender (boys)

1.38 (0.58–3.26)

0.470

2.36 (0.92–6.09)

0.075

 Family size (≥ 7 members; large)

2.32 (0.88–5.91)

0.089

2.47 (0.98–7.74)

0.052

 Mother’s educational level (< 6 years)

4.35 (1.72–11.19)

0.001^*

–

–

 Father’s employment status

1.80 (0.70–4.65)

0.224

–

–

 Mother’s employment status (not working)

–

–

0.34 (0.12–0.95)

0.039^*

 Household monthly income (< RM 500)

–

–

2.16 (0.78–4.94)

0.138

 Presence of toilet in house (no)

1.64 (0.71–2.30)

0.063

–

–

 Source of drinking water (unsafe water)

3.61 (1.37–7.50)

0.009^*

–

–

 Presence of domestic animals (yes)

4.30 (1.67–11.08)

0.003^*

3.81 (1.04–13.75)

0.045^*

 Washing hands after playing with soil (no)

4.26 (1.59–11.42)

0.004^*

–

–

 Washing vegetables before eating (no)

3.52 (1.40–8.87)

0.008^*

–

–

 Wearing shoes when outside (no)

2.94 (1.15–7.53)

0.025^*

–

–

 Indiscriminate defecation (yes)

3.13 (1.05–9.35)

0.010^*

–

–