5 brgys in pilot study on worm infestations

CEBU, Philippines - At least five barangays in Lapu-Lapu City were the subject of a pilot study conducted by University of the Philippines Manila in partnership with the Department of Health in Central Visayas to analyze the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection in the city.

Dr. Van Phillip Baton, the Regional Integrated Helminth Control Program Coordinator of DOH-7, said the agency and UP Manila with the help of other stakeholders implemented deworming services in child development centers (or day-care centers) among preschool-age children.

Preschool-age children, or those one to four years old, can avail of the deworming services in health centers in their community, but Baton said some parents fail to bring their child on these centers.

Now, the agency wants to widen their deworming coverage by providing services also in day-care centers, he said.

He said infections on helminthiasis, which the World Health Organization defined as infestation with one or more intestinal parasitic worms, remain a significant public health problem among preschool-age children.

"To increase coverage on our deworming activity, in partnership with UP Manila, they will be conducting a pilot study based on day-care centers. We will be doing the pilot study in Barangay Lapu-Lapu and this was done from July 19 until this Friday (July 22) until all are covered from the selected barangay," he said.

In July 19 alone, he said more than 1,000 preschool-age children were simultaneously dewormed in the barangays Bankal, Basak, Buaya, Ibo, and Pusok.

He said deworming in day-care centers can be helpful since parents may also be oriented on deworming and will be an efficient scheme since child development workers assist rural health midwives and nurses in implementing the program.

The deworming activity was in collaboration with the Lapu-Lapu City Government and Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).

MCIAA provided the food given to the children before deworming that is essential in minimizing the incidence of adverse events.

The children's parents, who were present during the activity, gave consent to have their children dewormed. (FREEMAN)