Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Helminthic Parasitic Infections Among Children of Habitat for Humanity Relocation Site

Helminthic infections cause serious health problem. More than 1.5 billion people, or 24% of the world’s population, are infected with over 267 million preschool-age children and over 568 million school-age children The purpose of the study was to determine the kind of helminthic parasite present and the factors affecting the occurrence in the community. The study focused on the demographic profile of the subjects, sanitation and hygienic practices of respondents. A community-based quantitative observational design employing a researcher-made questionnaire was used to gather the necessary information. The fecal samples were examined in the laboratory to determine the helminthic parasites. A focus group discussion was conducted to acquire a more detailed answer for the specific questions. The data were analyzed using Frequency and Percentage and interpreted using Test of Relationship. The findings suggest that the presence of parasites in the community are related to educational attainment of parents, sanitation and hygienic practices. Hence, control measures for prevention and transmission are necessary.

Keywords: Helminthic infection, demographic profile, sanitation, hygiene