Risk Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infections among School Children

Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is a major public health problem in tropical areas such as the Philippines. A significant portion of the population in the Philippines consists of people located in the provinces as well as hard to reach localities that often cater to fishing and rural communities.

Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections, helminth densities, and relevant risk factors associated with helminth infections among grade school children.

Materials and Methods: In July 2015, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths among Kindergarten to Grade 10 pupils in Jaime Hilario Integrated School-La Salle (JHIS-LS) in Bagac, Bataan, Philippines was determined using Kato-Katz technique. Moreover, socio-demographic profile including sex, age, and hygiene and sanitation practices of the pupils were obtained.

Results: Of the 110 pupils, a prevalence rate of 6.36% with at least one STH infection was identified. The predominant parasites were Trichuris trichiura (56%), Ascaris lumbricoides (22%) and Enterobius vermicularis (22%). T. trichiura was identified in single infection while A. lumbricoides and E. vermicularis were found in mixed infections. Of the socio-demographic characteristics of the pupils, the use of soap in washing hands is a protective factor against helminth infections (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.02-0.97).

Conclusion: Further studies using different STH diagnostic procedures must be done and other risk factors associated with STH must be identified.