Korean J Parasitol.  2004 Jun;42(2):67-70. 10.3347/kjp.2004.42.2.67.

Infection status of intestinal parasites in children living in residential institutions in Metro Manila, the Philippines

• Baldo ET
• Belizario
• De Leon WU
• Kong HH
• Chung DI

• KMID: 1051421
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2004.42.2.67

Abstract

A small scale survey was performed to know the infection status of intestinal parasite in children of the residential institutions and street communities in Metro Manila, Philippines. A total of 284 stool samples from 11 institutions and 3 street communities was examined by the formalin-ether concentration method. The scotch tape anal swab was adapted to 121 children to investigate the infection status of Enterovius vermicularis. It was found out that 62.0% of the children examined were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. Multiple infections were observed in 34.2% of the children. Among 172 children who gave detail information, the prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm was 36.0%, 44.8%, and 7.0% respectively. Of the children examined, 47.7% were found to be harboring parasitic protozoans such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis hominis. The most prevalent of these protozoans was B. hominis with an infection rate of 40.7%. The prevalence of these infections among children living in institutions was relatively high. More efforts should be made to implement anthelminthic programs including bi-annual follow-up treatments.

Keyword

child; residential institution; intestinal parasitism; prevalence; Philippines

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Animals
Child
Feces/parasitology
Female
Helminthiasis/epidemiology
Helminths/isolation & purification
Homeless Youth
Human
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology/*parasitology
Male
Philippines/epidemiology
Prevalence
Protozoa/isolation & purification
Protozoan Infections/epidemiology
Urban Population