High burden of soil-transmitted helminth infections, schistosomiasis, undernutrition, and poor sanitation in two Typhoon Haiyan-stricken provinces in Eastern Philippines

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to describe: 1) soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis prevalence and intensity in preschool-age children (PSAC) and school-age children (SAC), 2) schistosomiasis seroprevalence in SAC, 3) undernutrition prevalence in SAC, 4) sanitary toilet coverage in households, and 5) association between STH, Schistosoma japonicum exposure, nutritional status, and sanitation. PSAC and SAC in two Haiyan-stricken provinces were examined using Kato–Katz technique and ELISA Antibody test. Anthropometric and hemoglobin measurements were also obtained. The reported sanitary toilet coverage was validated in a survey. The prevalence of any STH in PSAC and SAC was 50.2% and 41.3%, respectively. Moderate-heavy intensity (MHI) STH prevalence in PSAC and SAC was 20.8% and 5.9%, respectively. The prevalence of any STH, MHI STH, ascariasis, MHI ascariasis, and MHI trichuriasis was significantly higher in PSAC. Stunting, underweight, wasting, overweight/obesity, and anemia prevalence was 38.4%, 24.5%, 4.8%, 2.7%, and 34.7% in PSAC, while the prevalence was 34.3%, 21.6%, 8.7%, 3.0%, and 19.2% in SAC, respectively. Anemia and wasting prevalence were significantly higher in PSAC and SAC, respectively. There were five schistosomiasis cases found (0.8% prevalence), while schistosomiasis seroprevalence was 60.1%. Validated and reported sanitary toilet coverage was significantly different in eight out of 13 barangays. Stunting and anemia were associated with STH. STH and anemia prevalence were significantly higher in non-ZOD barangays. High STH burden in PSAC and SAC persists. A more coordinated response addressing STH, undernutrition, and WASH in disaster-stricken areas will require strengthening local health systems and promoting intersectoral collaboration.

KEYWORDS:

• STH
• schistosomiasis
• nutrition
• sanitation
• philippines
• haiyan
• sanitation

Acknowledgments

The researchers would like to thank Ms. Lourivy Durano and Ms. Jana Denise Lacuna for their assistance in project implementation, Dr. Winston Palasi and Engr. Gerado Mogol for their support in coordinating the activities, as well as Mr. Carlo Lumangaya and Ms. Lynnell Alexie Ong for their assistance in proofreading the manuscript. The researchers would also like to thank United States Agency for International Development and RTI International for providing research funds, Plan International for conducting the nutritional assessment and coordinating with local stakeholders, Department of Health Disease Prevention and Control Bureau and Eastern Visayas Center for Health Development, the provincial health offices of Eastern and Western Samar, as well as the municipal health offices of Llorente and Oras in Eastern Samar and Daram and Gandara in Western Samar for their assistance in the fieldwork.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the USAID through the STRIDE Innovation for Development (AID-492-A-13-00011).