Abstract

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis are parasitic infections prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, such as the Philippines. The prevalence of these infections remain high in certain Philippine provinces, despite established mass drug administration (MDA) programs in endemic communities. This study aimed to understand community knowledge and perceptions of these infections to determine their implications on the current control and elimination strategies, including possible barriers to MDA compliance.MethodsThe study was conducted in Northern Samar and Sorsogon, two provinces with the highest STH and schistosomiasis prevalence in the country. Focus group discussions with separate parent and children groups were utilized to gather knowledge and perceptions on STH and schistosomiasis causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention; and on the deworming drugs and overall program implementation. Data collection in Northern Samar were done in August 2017, while the sessions in Sorsogon took place in May 2018. A cultural construction of disease framework will show how several factors affect MDA participation.ResultsResults showed that participants held mostly correct biomedical notions of the infections and expressed willingness to participate in MDA program. However, reservations remained due to a reported lack of information dissemination, lack of confidence in the drugs used, and widespread fear of adverse side effects.ConclusionAddressing these concerns - improving the conduct of the deworming program, incorporating suggestions from the community, and managing potential adverse events - may help raise MDA participation and encourage better personal preventive practices, reducing STH and schistosomiasis prevalence.Trial RegistrationN/A

Highlights

  • Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH) are estimated to infect more than 1.5 billion people worldwide, while schistosomiasis places at least 220 million people in need of preventive chemotherapy in 2017 [1,2,3]

  • Soil-transmitted helminthiasis is caused by different species of intestinal parasites, namely Ascaris (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura), and hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus)

  • The main objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the community perceptions of the Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis infections, their respective control and prevention practices, and how these perceptions may affect control and elimination programs, in community water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices, and mass drug administration (MDA) participation

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Summary

Introduction

Soil-transmitted Helminths (STH) are estimated to infect more than 1.5 billion people worldwide, while schistosomiasis places at least 220 million people in need of preventive chemotherapy in 2017 [1,2,3]. These parasites are prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, such as the Philippines, with the impoverished identified as the most vulnerable population [4]. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis are parasitic infections prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, such as the Philippines The prevalence of these infections remain high in certain Philippine provinces, despite established mass drug administration (MDA) programs in endemic communities. This study aimed to understand community knowledge and perceptions of these infections to determine their implications on the current control and elimination strategies, including possible barriers to MDA compliance

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