DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2016.v04i01.011

Pages: 67-75

Soil-transmitted Helminth (STH) infections are one of the causes of morbidity among high school students. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence as well as the correlates of the prevalence of STH infection among selected high school students of Cataggaman National High School, Tuguegarao City. Sixty-two high school students from Cataggaman National High School were randomly selected. Direct fecal smear and Kato-Katz technique testing of stool samples elucidated the prevalence of ascariasis and trichuriasis in high school students. Data such as socio-demographic, water source, environmental sanitation, and personal hygiene were collected to better understand the correlation of these factors with STH infection. Educational attainment of the father and water storage correlated significantly positive (p<0.05) with STH infection. All of these findings indicate further that a good sanitation is associated with a reduced risk of transmission of helminthiasis to high school students. Identifying factors that contribute to the dynamics of STH transmission in vulnerable groups can help plan for effective prevention strategies.