Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Schoolchildren in a Coastal Rural Area of Maragondon, Cavite, Southern Luzon, Philippines

Abstract

Fresh stool samples were collected from 259 pupils enrolled in Santa Mercedes and Pinagsanhan Elementary Schools in Maragondon, Cavite with the ratio of 2:1. The samples were processed using Formol-ether and Kato-Katz Concentration Techniques and then microscopically examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. Of the 259 pupils examined from a population of 557 pupils, 217 (83.8%) had one or more parasites. The prevalence of parasites are as follows in decreasing order: Ascaris lumbricoides was the highest (66.4%) followed by hookworms (21.2%), Trichuris trichiura (14.7%), Taenia spp (13.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (12.7%), Giardia lamblia (6.2%) and Strongyloides stercorales (5.8%), and E. vermicularis (2.7%), in that order. The occurrence of various intestinal parasites and high prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection among school children of the two coastal rural areas in Maragondon, Cavite, Southern Luzon, Philippines, necessitates the immediate action of the proper health authorities in the area, coupled with public health education on the prevention of infection with Ascaris lumbricoides. Organization of education seminars including the topics such as prevention of infectious diseases, improving general hygienic conditions and application of supportive programs for the parents must be done not only to reduce intestinal parasitic infections but also to elevate the socio-cultural levels. Keywords: intestinal parasites, schoolchildren, Maragondon, Cavite, Formol-ether & Kato-katz Concentration Techniques, soil transmitted helminths