Random Stool Screening for Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection (STHI) as Monitoring Tool for Community Public Health Status

Helminth infection is a condition that is associated with socioeconomic status and the community’s ability to access clean water. This study aimed to use simple laboratory methods such as direct fecal examination to help assess the public health condition of Barangay Quilitisan, Calatagan, Batangas. A total of 26 stool samples from daycare students attending the daycare center were screened for intestinal parasites. A total of 4(15.38%) out of 26 daycare students were infected withAscaris lumbricoidesinfection. Parallel testing of water samples in regards of physico chemical and microbiologic assay showed 2 out of three samples are free of coliform contamination. Further, 3(25%) of male respondent is positive for helminthic infection while only 1(7.69%) of females turned out positive for infection. Our results showed that routine screening of stool samples for intestinal parasites in a given population is an available simple tool to assess a community’s access to clean water, the effectiveness of implemented health policies and effective waste management. This study presents data on the potential use of simple methods such as routine stool analysis as an effective tool to assess a community’s public health status and effective health programs on sanitation. The results of the present study provided evidence that random stool sampling for soil transmitted helminth infections can be useful to assess efficiency of public health programs in a given population. Although the study involves a small population; we suggest that further testing and evaluation be done on a much larger population.