Incidence factors influencing intestinal parasitism among children ages 2-12 in Barangay San Juan I, Ternate, Cavite / by Janeen V. Llanera and Chelsea S. Moscoso.

Thesis (BS Medical Technology) Cavite State University

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Nursing (CON)

LLARENA, JANEEN V., MOSCOSO, CHELSEA S. Incidence and Factors Influencing Intestinal Parasitism Among Children Ages 2-12 in Barangay San Juan 1, Ternate, Cavite. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. March 2016. Adviser: Flordeliza A. De Guzman, RMT, MAT and Evelyn M. Del Mundo, RN, MAN, PhD.

Intestinal parasitism has been one of the major health problems that the human population is facing. Determination of the . factors that contribute to its prevalence is essential in the prevention of infection and its spread. This study aimed to determine the incidence and factors influencing intestinal parasitism among children ages two to 12 in Barangay San Juan I, Ternate, Cavite. It focused only in children not enrolled in the public (Rural Health Unit and public school) deworming program. Factors in terms of hygiene, health and lifestyle, environment, and socioeconomic status were determined using survey questionnaires. Detection and identification of intestinal parasites were done using direct fecal smear. For the identification of E. vermicularis, cellulose tape method was used. Determination of factors highly contributing to parasitic infection was done through chi-square. Most of the
respondents belonged to age group two to five (47%); followed by children ages six to nine (36%) and children ages 10 to 12 (17%). Out of 83 respondents, 40 were infected and 43 were not infected with any of the intestinal parasites. From the 40 infected children, 20 (50%) of them were male, while the other 20 (50%) were female. Results of the study revealed that among the infected children ages two to 12, Ascaris lumbricoides appeared to have the highest percentage, followed by Trichuris trichilira and Enterobius vermicularis.

From the hygienic profile, poor handwashing after using comfort room, after playing, before eating, and before preparing of food; biting nails; sucking fingers; scratching anus; and infrequent trimming of nails showed significant relationship with children's intestinal parasitic infection. Health and lifestyle profile showed that low body mass index, playing outside the house, and playing barefooted had significant relationship with intestinal parasitic infection. In the socioeconomic status profile, the higher number of family members, monthly family income, and inadequacy in provision of health needs had significant relationship with the incidence of infection. Lastly, it was also found out that sharing and no toilet facility, and open burning, burial in pit, and open dumping method of garbage disposal had significant relationship with the incidence of parasitic infection. Health education regarding the importance of hygiene, child's nutrition and environmental sanitation in the transmission of intestinal parasites was recommended by the researchers.

Submitted to the University Library 08/04/2020 T-6081