Integrated Sanitation and Hygiene Program to Curb the Case of Helminthiasis: An Experimental Study Among School-Age Children in a Coastal Town in the Philippines

Introduction: Approximately 24% of the world’s populations, mostly school-age children, are infected with soil-transmitted helminthes; with the majority in tropical and subtropical areas. The Philippine islands are endemic to soil-transmitted helminth with approximately 25 million Filipinos at risk of acquiring the infection. Despite the deworming program of the Department of Health (DOH), re-infection is very common. This study investigated the effect of integrated sanitation and hygiene program among the second grade students of a coastal town in the Philippines. Methods: Utilizing quasi-experimental study, two group pretest and posttest design, 70 participants from the elementary school of a coastal town in the Philippines were chosen randomly to join the study.  Results: Overall result showed that experimental group maintained a zero re-infection during the first and second months after the intervention; while the control had one case of re-infection. Moreover, result showed significant difference during pretest and posttest on knowledge (p = <0.05) and self-efficacy (p = <0.05) but not significant on practice (p = 0.77). Analyzing the two groups, significant difference was noted between the experimental and control group on knowledge (p = <0.05) and self-efficacy (p = <0.05), with the experimental group faring better after one and two months post intervention; but no significant difference was noted on practice, one and two months post intervention (p = 0.56, 0.43). The odds of the experimental group acquiring helminthiasis was 68% lower than the control group but is not considered significant (OR = 0.32; p = 0.49). Discussion: The program was successful in reducing the re-infection of helminthiasis and is recommended that continuous health education on hygiene and sanitation must be considered in the home and school.