What common agricultural practice can increase the risk of hookworm infection?

Walking barefoot in contaminated soil significantly increases the risk of hookworm infection. Hookworms are parasites that are often found in warm, moist environments, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. Their larvae can penetrate the skin, and walking barefoot allows direct contact with contaminated soil where these larvae may be present.

In regions where hookworms are endemic, walking barefoot, especially in areas where animal feces may contaminate the soil, can lead to direct skin penetration by the larvae, resulting in infection. This is a common route of transmission for hookworms, making this practice a notable risk factor for infection.

The other options, while they may contribute to agricultural or health issues in other contexts, do not directly facilitate the transmission of hookworms in the same way. For instance, using synthetic fertilizers, applying pesticides excessively, or consuming unwashed vegetables may relate to other health hazards or agricultural concerns, but they do not inherently increase exposure to hookworms like walking barefoot in contaminated soil does.