A survey on the prevalence of common human nematode infection among grade I pupils of West Central Public School in Gasak, Meycauayan, Bulacan

A total of 112 fecal samples were collected from Grade 1 pupils (7-8 years old) of West Central Elementary school in Gasak, Meycauayan, Bulacan for the presence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americans) using Kato-Thick smear method. The parasites were identified based on the morphological characteristics of the egg. The fecal samples were collected from June to July of 1997. Of the 112 respondents, 65 were males and 47 were females. Overall, 62 (55.35%) of the respondents were positive for nematode infection. The prevalence of A. lumbricoides was 32 (51.61%), 20(54.05%) were males and 12 (48.00%) were females. The prevalence of T. trichiura was 12 (20.33%) males and 3 (12.00%) females. Double infection with ascaris and Trichuris was 18 (30.50%) wherein 8 (21.61%) were males and 10 (40.00%) were females. No hookworm infection was observed