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ABSTRACT:
Soil-transmitted helminthes (STH) affect more than 2 billion people worldwide while the cumulative prevalence of STH infection among elementary school children in the Philippines was 67%. This study aimed to assess the presence of soil transmitted helminthes among school children and determine its association with the family's demographic profile (parents' highest educational attainment, children's age and sex) and transmission factors (family size, house flooring, water sources, presence of latrine, hand washing habit and shoe-wearing habits). The study utilized descriptive-cross sectional design and total population sampling. Subjects were children aged 3 to 8 years old. Demographic data and risk for transmission factors were obtained using a questionnaire while stool samples from 108 children were collected and tested for presence of STH using kato-thick technique. The data gathered were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and multiple logistic regression. A total of 108 children were screened for STH infection and 32 (29.62%) of them were positive for Ascaris lumbricoides, 8 (7.40%) were positive for Trichuris trichuria and 20 18.51%) were positive for hookworm. The educational attainment of the parents has a significant effect in the presence of STH infection.
Key words: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Hookworm, Soil Transmitted Helminths
INTRODUCTION
Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) such as roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura) and hookworms affects more than 2 billion people worldwide [1]. Specifcially, about 1 billion people are infected with roundworms, 740 million people are infected with hookworms and 795 million people are infected with whipworms [1]. According to Belizario et al. [2], the cumulative prevalence, which is the positivity for at least one type of STH infection, among elementary school children in the Philippines was 67%. The highest rates of heavy cases of soil- transmitted helminths infections were from Cavite (22%) and Nueva Ecija (11.3%).
STH Infections spread through hand to mouth manner or through consumption of contaminated food and water. It is common in areas where living conditions is poor and the temperature is high and in rural developing regions mainly among children, since they actively play in the environment. It mainly causes diarrhea and stomach pain but can also cause growth deficiency and can impair cognitive development once not treated immediately and becomes chronic especially in children [3].
Personal hygiene and missing hygienic equipment such...