SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHIASIS MORBIDITY CONTROLLED IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN ABRA, THE PHILIPPINES

The study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in Lagayan and San Juan municipalities in Abra Province, the Philippines. School-age children (SAC) from selected barangays (villages) were examined for parasitic infections using Kato-Katz technique following sentinel surveillance methodology. Barangay-level data on 2019 preventive chemotherapy coverage in SAC and 2018 sanitary toilet coverage, as well as municipality-level stunting and underweight prevalence in 2018 were obtained from the Department of Health. A total of 487 SAC were examined. Overall prevalence of any STH was 2.7%, with 2.0% in Lagayan and 3.4% in San Juan; all cases with just light intensity. Prevalence of ascariasis and trichuriasis were 1.4% and 2.1%, respectively, with no hookworm infection found. STH morbidity in SAC may have been controlled in the two municipalities. Once STH morbidity control in pre-SAC and SAC has been validated, the province may be a suitable pilot area for moving towards STH transmission interruption, which will require improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and utilizing more sensitive and specific diagnostics. Abra may also serve as a model for other provinces and regions on how STH morbidity in SAC may be controlled.