A survey on the prevalence of intestinal nematode infections among grade II pupils of San Antonio Elementary School, San Pedro, Laguna

A survey to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthic parasites, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides (common roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), and hookworms was conducted among grade II pupils (8-12 years old) of San Antonio Elementary School in San Pedro, Laguna. Of the 228 plastic cups with cover distributed, only 119, 63 from males and 56 from females were retrieved after one and a half month of collection. The collection was done during the months of June and July, 1997. The Kato-Thick Smear Technique was used for the identification of eggs. Among the 119 fecal samples examined, 50 were found to be positive for nematode infection. This gives an overall prevalence rate of 42.02% for both sexes of respondents. Ascaris lumbricoides infection was noted to be 13 (10.92 %) while Trichuris trichiura infection was 25 (21.01 %). Double infection for both A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura were also noted among 12 respondents (10.08 %). No hookworm infection was observed. Of the total number of respondents, 52.38 % male respondents were found positive for infection compared to the 30.36 % infection rate for female respondents