Date of Publication

7-2025

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biology major in Medical Biology

Subject Categories

Parasitic Diseases

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Biology

Thesis Advisor

Mary Jane C. Flores

Defense Panel Chair

Bridget C. Arellano

Defense Panel Member

Jessica Joyce R. De Guia
Helenar G. Chan

Abstract (English)

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection remains to be a public health problem for school-aged children, especially in endemic regions. Although mass deworming programs have been implemented, control of reinfection has been challenging in the long term. This study looks at the impact of school-age children's body mass index (BMI) and socioeconomic status (SES) on STH infection in relation to the effectiveness of mass deworming. Based on the odds ratio analysis, the probability of getting infected by Ascaris spp. was significantly higher (OR = 3.2), whereas the odds ratio for Trichuris spp. was lower (OR = 0.235). On the other hand, stunted and underweight children had lower odds (OR = 0.46 and 0.51, respectively), nutritional indicators like BMI-for-age (BAZ) and Height-for-age (HAZ) were not significantly correlated with infection. When using a combined SES score, no significant correlation was found, but logistic regression revealed that SES was a complex variable: children in the lowest income bracket had lower odds of infection (OR = 0.18; p = 0.0339). The importance of behavioral and infrastructure factors was highlighted by the lack of significant associations found for environmental factors, such as access to clean water and sanitation. Based on the results, mass deworming alone is insufficient to effectively lower the prevalence of STH in urban areas where it is endemic. Deworming must be used alongside better sanitation, hygiene education, and nutrition interventions in a broader approach. In order to more accurately represent re-infection patterns and improve intervention strategies, future studies should use longitudinal monitoring and larger, multi-site samples.

Keywords: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH), mass deworming, Body Mass Index (BMI), Socioeconomic status (SES), school-aged children, BAZ, HAZ

Abstract Format

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Abstract (Filipino)

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Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Helminthiasis in children; Body mass index

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Embargo Period

8-11-2025

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