Eosinophilia and Incidence of Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections of Secondary Students of an Indigenous School

The incidence of STHI and its relation to eosinophilia were examined in 74 students of a secondary school for the indigenous people (IP) in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. After obtaining necessary permission and consent, blood and stool samples were collected and examined. Kato-Katz method was used to determine and quantify helminths. Differential WBC count identified the manifestation of eosinophilia. Incidence of blood eosinophilia among the participants was 58% (43/74) with 12.2% mean eosinophil WBC count. Percentage of eosinophil among infected and non-infected varied significantly (p<0.05), except for Trichuris infection. Cumulative morbidity of STHI is 37.8% (28/74) with mean ova count of 1266 EPGF. Females have significantly higher parasite load than males (t = 2.663; p = 0.015). Single and co-infections occurred among the participants. Occurrence of single infection was 14.7% (11/74) for Ancylostoma duodenale, 14.7% (11/74) for Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.4% (1/74) for Trichuris trichura, 6.8% (5/74) for co-infections. Light infection occurred in 35.1% (26/74) of the participants while 2.7% (2/74) suffered moderate infection. There was a moderate association (r = 0.328; p = 0.004) between eosinophilia and parasitism. Because STHI aggravate health, IP groups must be ensured of access to health services and health education. Regular implementation of effective helminthic-disease management and prevention programs is crucial to eliminate the prevalence and persistence of STHI in the area.

 

Keywords - Eosinophilia, Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections, Intestinal Parasitism, Helminthiasis, Indigenous People, Bukidnon