Philippine E-Journals

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among school-aged children of selected barangays in Lucban, Quezon

Shiela A Babia | Vachel Gay V Paller | Kathlee N Ordoñez

Discipline: Public Health

 

Abstract:

Intestinal helminths are a major public health problem in both tropical and subtropical countries that may affect the cognitive and physical development of schoolaged children. This study aimed to identify intestinal helminths among schoolaged children of Lucban, Quezon and correlate its prevalence and mean intensity with some socio-economic factors. Eighty students were randomly selected from 23 barangays of Lucban, Quezon. Formalin-ether concentration technique and scotch tape technique were used to analyze the samples. Results showed that 45 out of 80 children (56%) were positive with intestinal helminth eggs. Trichuris trichiura (32.5%,) had the highest prevalence followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (26.25%), Enterobius vermicularis (13.75%) and hookworm (10%). Children aged 7- 10 years old (66.67%) were generally more infected than 11-12 years of age (40.62%). Furthermore, socio-economic factors such as low income of the family (r = -0.96) and blue-collar type of job (r = -0.95) show a strong negative correlation. The prevalence of intestinal parasites among children is found to be relatively high. Thus, this study may serve as baseline information for the municipal health to improve antihelminthic programs in the area to help minimize the infection among children.