Sentinel surveillance of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in selected local government units in the Philippines.

This study describes baseline prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infections as well as baseline anthropometric and school performance data among public elementary school children in 6 sentinel provinces in the Philippines. Stratified cluster sampling was used to select 6 provinces, where grade 3 elementary school pupils were surveyed. Secondary anthropometric data and achievement test results of the immediate past academic year were examined. Overall cumulative prevalence and proportion of heavy intensity infections for the 6 selected provinces were 54.0% and 23.1%, respectively. These recent findings further support the need for mass treatment to be given at least twice a year. The findings of the study also demonstrate the relationship that exists between worm burden and nutritional status. Strategies focusing on mass treatment integration, environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, and health education should be developed to control soil-transmitted helminth infections and their detrimental effects.