Prevalence of Parasitic Infections among Children of Badjao Villageiii

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH)is one of the most common group of parasitic

pathogens that invade the intestinal tract. A study of the prevalence of parasitic

infections was carried out among children of Badjao Village, Barangay Bawing,

General Santos City. Forty (40) subjects age 5-12 years old were randomly

chosen. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed using Formalin-Ether

concentration technique to identify the intestinal parasites present in the fecal

samples of the subjects. The results gathered indicate that 100% of respondents

are positive for STH. Mixed infections of A. lumbricoides and T. Trichiura are the

most prevalent among the results obtained (87.5%), followed by T. trichiurasingle

infection (12.5%).There were no respondents who tested positively for A.

lumbricoides single infection. A survey was also conducted to identify the profile

of children. The mean age of the respondents is 8.5. Statistical treatment shows

that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of parasitic infections

among the different age groups and grade levels (x = 0). There are more male

respondents (72.5%) as compared to females (27.5%), however, the prevalence of

helminthiasis is not significantly different between genders (x = 0). Factors

contributing to the prevalence of STH were also identified, including poor

hygiene and sanitation practices, low socio-economic status and educational

attainment of parents, and the demographic location of Badjao Village.Promoting

health initiatives by the local government is recommended.

 Prevalence of Parasitic Infections among Children of Badjao Villagev

Acknowlegement

The researchers would like to express their deepest gratitude and

appreciation to the following who extended their help, making study possible:

To the their families, for their love and continual support both financially

and emotionally;

To Mary Mae Cheung, RMT,PhD., the researchers adviser, for always

being patient and for giving them the right knowledge and information to

accomplish their study;

To the panelists, Mary Mae Cheung, RMT, PhD., Jerel Vincen Fernandez,

RMT, Mary Grace Lapiad, RMT, MSMT, and Mary Claire Dingal, RMT, AMT,

ASCPi, for devoting their time in giving the researchers advices and

recommendations to enhance the presentation of their study;

To Ms. Mary Grace Lapiad, PMTL Laboratory In-charge, for allowing

them to conduct fecal analyses in the PMTL laboratory and utilize the laboratory

equipment;

To the laboratory assistants, Lovely and Babes, for succoring the

researchers during their laboratory procedures;

To Rue Flora Ruiz, RN, MAN, the Dean of College of Health Sciences,

for her support in the completion of the researchers study;

 Prevalence of Parasitic Infections among Children of Badjao Villagev

To Barangay Captain Jerry Jugarap, for allowingthem to conduct their

study in his area;

To the Barangay Bawing Health Center personnel, for welcoming the

researchers and helping the them carry out the their proposed study;

To RaizerAscali and James Castro, for selflessly accompanying the

researchers during their fecal collection and survey;

To the Mother and Child Center, especiallyMaam Beth, for introducing the

researchers the Badjao Village;

To the residents of Badjao Village especially the respondents and their

parents, for being cooperative and willing to provide fecal samples; and,

Above all, to the Almighty Father, for His Divine providence and

unceasing guidance and love. Without Him, they can do nothing.

J.S. Labustro

S. Saplad

M.C. Villanueva