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Updated: Oct 9, 2025
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional indices among Filipino schoolchildren
Mary Lorraine S Mationg1,2, Gail M Williams3, Veronica L Tallo2
1Research School of Population Heath, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Insights
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections affect 23% of Philippine schoolchildren. STH is linked to stunting and being underweight, highlighting the need for integrated control strategies including deworming and health education.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a significant public health concern among schoolchildren in the Philippines.
- Prevalence of STH and associated nutritional deficiencies necessitates evaluation of risk factors and health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate risk factors associated with STH infections in schoolchildren.
- To examine the relationship between STH and nutritional indices (anaemia, stunting, wasting, underweight) in Filipino children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized baseline data from a randomized controlled trial involving 1,689 schoolchildren aged 9-10 years in Laguna, Philippines.
- Collected demographic, socio-economic, and STH-related knowledge data via questionnaire; assessed stool samples for STH eggs using Kato-Katz technique.
- Measured haemoglobin, height, and weight; employed generalized estimating equations for logistic regression analysis of risk factors and nutritional associations.
Main Results:
- Overall STH prevalence was 23%; anaemia (13%), stunting (20.2%), underweight (19%), and wasting (9.5%) were also prevalent.
- Significant risk factors for STH included age, socio-economic status, school location (rural/urban), and STH knowledge.
- STH infections were significantly associated with stunting (P < 0.001) and being underweight (P < 0.003), but not wasting or anaemia.
Conclusions:
- Findings underscore the importance of sustainable deworming programs combined with health education, sanitation improvements, and nutritional interventions.
- Integrated strategies are crucial for controlling STH infections and improving morbidity outcomes in affected schoolchildren.
Background:
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still prevalent among schoolchildren in the Philippines. We evaluated the risk factors associated with STH and the relationship between STH and nutritional indices among schoolchildren aged 9-10 years in Laguna province, the Philippines.
Methods:
We used the baseline data from 40 schools enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of the Magic Glasses Philippines health education package. Data on demographic and socio-economic variables, and STH related knowledge, attitudes and practices, were obtained through a questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and assessed for STH egg presence using the Kato-Katz technique. Haemoglobin levels and height and weight of study participants were also determined. The generalized estimating equations approach was used to construct logistic regression models to assess STH-associated risk factors, and the association between any STH infection and anaemia, child stunting, wasting and being underweight. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000508471).
Findings:
Among 1,689 schoolchildren, the prevalence of any STH was 23%. The prevalence of anaemia, stunting, being underweight and wasting was 13%, 20.2%, 19% and 9.5%, respectively. Age, socio-economic status, rural/urban classification of schools and knowledge of STH were significant risk factors for acquiring a STH infection. Moreover, infections with any STH were significantly associated with stunting (P = <0.001) and being underweight (P = <0.003), but not wasting (P = 0.375) or anaemia (P = 0.462) after controlling for confounding covariates.
Conclusion:
The study findings emphasise the need for sustainable deworming in tandem with other measures such as the provision of health education, improvements in sanitation and hygiene, and nutritional programs in order to control STH infections and improve morbidity outcomes in schoolchildren.
Trial Registration:
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000508471).
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