Group 18
Context
Our group's research problem is regarding the epidemiological profile of residents of Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City regarding soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH). Helminthiasis, commonly known as worm infection, is a parasitic disease affecting mammals including humans in which parts of the body are infected with parasitic worms called helminths. One of the well-known helminths is the Ascaris spp. roundworms, which causes ascariasis. This parasitic disease is prevalent in the Philippines.
Experience
I took up Parasitology during my 4th year as an undergraduate B.S. Biology student. I somehow have some familiarity with the life cycle of helminths, their mode-of-infection, and pathology. In addition, I had my on-the-job training in the Banilad Health Center during Summer 2016, in which they oriented me about worm infections among the residents and the deworming process.
Reflection
The group particularly chose to tackle on this issue because STH is common in under-developed or developing countries including almost all provinces of the Philippines [1]. The setting was chosen since cases have also been reported in Cebu among local health centers and hospitals. The challenge in this study will be on how to obtain data from the health centers and government agencies, along with the species of worm(s) should it not have been determined among records.
Action
The study will be likely conducted from September-December 2017. It will utilize secondary data obtained from the municipal (or barangay) health center and possibly, the City Health Office of Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City. Before obtaining the data, the group will submit a formal letter of request to the officials of the agency. Once the data has been obtained, the group aims to determine the demographics, prevalence, intensity and as well as the socio-economic factors leading to the cases of infection.
Evaluation
As a member of the group, I think this research is relevant to society because it would provide information of the outbreak of STH in the province of Cebu. There are multiple studies [2][3] detailing outbreaks of similar worms in other provinces, but most of these are broader as compared to focusing on one province. Should this study present significant findings, I can say that it may be of useful information to society on how to prevent STH infections in the future.
Sources/References:
[1] https://www.fhi360.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/philippines-ntd-case-studies-jun-2015.pdf
[2] Lawangen, Abner & Santillan, Marlou & Anacio, Danesto & Tomin, Junelyn. (2012). Epidemiology of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Parasitism Among Schoolchildren in Tublay, Benguet (Philippines). Tangkoyob: University of the Cordilleras Research Journal. 6. 88-102.
[3] Ricardo J. Soares Magalhães , Maria S. Salamat , Lydia Leonardo, Darren J. Gray, Hélène Carabin, Kate Halton, Donald P. McManus, Gail M. Williams, Pilarita Rivera, Ofelia Saniel, Leda Hernandez, Laith Yakob, Stephen T. McGarvey, & Archie C. A. Clements. (2015). Mapping the Risk of Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections in the Philippines. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 9(9): e0003915. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003915
[2] Lawangen, Abner & Santillan, Marlou & Anacio, Danesto & Tomin, Junelyn. (2012). Epidemiology of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Parasitism Among Schoolchildren in Tublay, Benguet (Philippines). Tangkoyob: University of the Cordilleras Research Journal. 6. 88-102.
[3] Ricardo J. Soares Magalhães , Maria S. Salamat , Lydia Leonardo, Darren J. Gray, Hélène Carabin, Kate Halton, Donald P. McManus, Gail M. Williams, Pilarita Rivera, Ofelia Saniel, Leda Hernandez, Laith Yakob, Stephen T. McGarvey, & Archie C. A. Clements. (2015). Mapping the Risk of Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections in the Philippines. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 9(9): e0003915. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003915
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