Determination of Common Enteric Parasites and the Risk Factors Among Grade One Pupils

The study sought to determine the presence of enteric parasitic infection among Grade 1 pupils of an elementary school, as well as the relationship of demographic and socioeconomic factors in acquiring the infection. Stool samples were collected from 27 subjects. They were processed using formalin-ether concentration technique (FECT) and were examined for common intestinal parasites by direct microscopy. Survey questionnaires were also distributed to the subjects. Among the subjects, 37% were male while 63% were female. The majority (70%) of the respondents had fathers and mothers who reached high school. As for monthly income, the highest number of respondents (9 out of 27, 33%) had parents earning less than 6000 pesos per month. of the 27 respondents, 12 (44%) were positive for Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercoralis. Through the survey, the factors that contributed to the acquisition of parasites were identified as follows: low level of education and low family income. Despite the results obtained, a significant relationship between the presence of common enteric parasites and the aforementioned factors cannot be determined due to an insufficient number of respondents.

Keywords:  Grade one pupils, intestinal parasitic infection, socio-economic, socio-demographic.