Sentinel surveillance of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in preschool-aged and school-aged children in selected local government units in the Philippines: follow-up assessment.

This study was a follow-up to the baseline nationwide survey of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in preschool-aged children in the Philippines and in school-aged children in selected sentinel sites to assess the Integrated Helminth Control Program of the Department of Health. The objective of the study was to describe the current prevalence and intensity of STH infections in preschool-aged and school-aged children in 6 sentinel provinces and to compare these data with baseline findings. A cross-sectional study design was used to determine the prevalence and intensity of STH infections. Parasitological assessment involved the examination of stool samples by the Kato-Katz method. Although parasitological parameters in the 2 age groups at follow-up showed significant reductions from the baseline, these parameters remained high despite 3 years of mass drug administration (MDA). Efforts toward achieving high MDA coverage rates, provision of clean water, environmental sanitation, and promotion of hygiene practices must be prioritized.

Soil-transmitted helminth and other intestinal parasitic infections among school children in indigenous people communities in Davao del Norte, Philippines.

A significant portion of the population in the Philippines consists of indigenous people (IP) groups, approximately 9% or 8.1 million. Data on the health status of these groups are very limited including the status of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. Provision of such data will be of great importance in the formulation of policy on control and prevention of these diseases in this group. This study was conducted in selected villages/barangays in the municipalities of Carmen, Kapalong, San Isidro and Sto. Tomas in the Province of Davao del Norte in Southern Mindanao, Philippines. Parasitologic assessment was performed using Kato-Katz to qualify and quantify STH infections, while nutritional status assessment was based on hemoglobin determination and on nutritional status indicators, i.e., weight-for-age (WFA), height-for-age (HFA), and body mass index (BMI) for age derived from anthropometric measurements. A total of 572 school children participated in the survey, 264 (46.2%) of whom belonged to a specific IP group. Results showed that 34.1% of the school children had at least one STH infection while 5.9% had heavy intensity infections. Cumulative prevalence in IP school children was significantly higher than in non-IP children with rates at 39.0% and 29.9%, respectively (P = 0.021). Overall prevalence of school children with below normal WFA was 29.9%, while prevalence of those with below normal HFA and BMI for age was 42.8% and 14.9%, respectively. Of those examined, 8.3% had below normal hemoglobin levels. There was no significant difference observed between the nutritional status parameters of IP and non-IP school children. The parasitologic parameters reported in this study signify the need to pay more attention to IP children who are at higher risk of morbidity due to helminth infections. Access of IP communities to quality health services, which include mass drug administration (MDA) and health education on a regular basis, must be ensured. Further studies to determine factors that contribute to the higher prevalence of STH among IP groups are recommended.

Impact of a local government unit supported school-based initiative for control of intestinal helminth infections

Objectives. This study aimed to describe baseline and follow-up prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, nutritional status and school performance of school-age children in Cebu City. By measuring these parameters, it also aimed to monitor the progress of a local government unit-led, school-based, schoolteacher-assisted deworming initiative. Methods. Grade three and grade four pupils from two selected school districts in Cebu City were chosen as participants. Kato-Katz technique was used to assess helminth infections. All positive slides and 10% of all negative slides were re-examined blindly by a reference microscopist for quality control. Secondary anthropometric and school performance data were also obtained from the Department of Education. Results. Baseline results showed cumulative prevalence and prevalence of heavy intensity infection of 73.1% and 44.3%, respectively, which were significantly lower during follow-up at 56.5% (p < 0.0001) and 26.5% (p < 0.0001), respectively. School performance improved in District B, with an 8.8% increase in mean percentage score from baseline to follow-up. There was no marked difference between baseline and follow-up proportions of pupils with below normal weight-for-age and height-for-age. Conclusions. The positive results merit continuation of the school-based STH control initiative in Cebu City. Improvements in water supply and sanitation, promotion of good hygiene and health education are important in minimizing risks of infection and re-infection.