Soil Transmitted Helminth Control Program - DOH Central Luzon

Soil Transmitted Helminth Control ProgramProfile/Rationale of the Health ProgramGiven the relatively high prevalence rate of STH infections in the country and theexisting issues confronting the implementation of the STHCP nationwide, there is a need tointegrate all related efforts and strengthen coordination of those involved to ensure bettercomplementation of resource, obtain higher coverage and generate better health outcomes.Within the Department of Health (DOH), several programs exist which are viable mechanisms tooperationalize an integrated approach in preventing and controlling STH infections moreeffectively and efficiently. This needs to expand to the other national and local agencies andorganizations engaged in the same endeavor.The IHCP envisions healthy and productive Filipinos. It aims to reduce the deaths and diseasesdue to STH infections by reducing the prevalence of the infection among population groupsfound most at risk. Helminth infections adversely affect the health of the children and women.Program interventions and related measures have to be focused on them. Children are classifiedinto preschoolers and school children while women include adolescent females and pregnantwomen. In addition, there are also special groups, which by the nature of their work andsituation, are gravely exposed to helminthes infection. These include the soldiers, farmers, foodhandlers and operators as well as indigenous people. They also require the necessary attention.The IHCP interventions consist primarily of chemotherapy, WASH and several behaviorchanging approaches. Chemotherapy remains as the core package in helminth infection control.The IHCP identifies the corresponding approach of deworming that must be applied for eachidentified population group. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) serves as the cornerstone inreducing the prevalence of worm infection. The expansion of these measures reduces moreeffectively the transmission of worm infection. The promotion of desired behaviors ensures thatthese efforts on chemotheraphy and WASH are translated into actual healthy practices and betterutilization of these facilities.These interventions only become viable and effective if they are carried out in a supportiveenvironment. Enabling mechanisms must therefore be established to support theirimplementation. An enabling environment entails good governance of the IHCP at all levels ofoperations. The political will and support of national and local leaders are essential to propel thecause of the IHCP. Quality of deworming services and expansion of service outlet to increaseaccess must be given due to consideration. Financing reforms must likewise introduce. TheLGUs must begin to allocate budget for their own deworming program. A more equitable orrationalized allocation of deworming assistance from the DOH must be established. Localfinancing mechanisms to sustain the delivery of STHCP services need to be explored andestablished. Strict monitoring of LGUs compliance to national laws and policies must beundertaken while several program support systems (e.g., procurement and logistics management,information management system, surveillance and research) have to be installed.

Central to the achievement of the IHCP vision is the commitment and participation of all sectorsconcerned considering that helminth infection is a multi-faceted problem. While the LGUs areexpected to be primarily responsible for the controlling helminth infection, the support of DOH,DepEd and other national government agencies including the private sector, civil society and thecommunity is very critical to the success of IHCP.Vision:Healthy and Productive Filipinos in the 21 st CenturyMission:To reduce the morbidity and mortality due to STH infections.Goals/ObjectivesThe program aims to reduce the prevalence of STH infection to below 50.0% among the 1-12years old children by 2010 and lower STH infection among adolescent females, pregnant womenand other special population group.Stakeholders/Beneficiaries:The DOH is the lead agency in the deworming of children while the Department of Education(DepEd) is in charge of deworming all children aged 6-12 years old enrolled in public schools(Grade 1-VI). Deworming is done by teachers under the supervision of school nurses or anyhealth personnel.Program Strategies:1. Improve governance through:a. Policies/resolutions;b. Securing budget for STH prevention and control;c. Mobilization and coordination of sectoral support; and2. Improve service quality and scale-up coverage.a. Capacity building

1. Areas for training· Epidemiology, life cycle etc.· Proficiency training on lab diagnosis for med techs/lab techs· Annual/biannual updates on current technology in lab diagnosis· Training on drug administration, side effects, etc2. Target participants3. Training mechanismsb. Development and issuance of protocols and guidelinesc. Expansion of service delivery pointsd. Availability and affordability of deworming drugs3. Institute financing reformsa. Efficiency in program implementationb. Mobilization of resourcesc. Strengthening LGU financing schemes4. Strengthen regulations5. Installation of management support systemsa. Drug procurementb. Researchc. SurveillanceTargets and Doses1. Children aged 1 year to 12 years oldFor children 12 – 24 months old

Albendazole - 200 mg, single dose every 6 months. Since the preparation is 400mg, thetablet is halve and can be chewed by the child or taken with a glass of waterOrMebendazole - 500 mg, single dose every 6 monthsFor children 24 months old and aboveAlbendazole - 400 mg, single dose every 6 monthsOrMebendazole - 500 mg, single dose every 6 monthsNote: If Vitamin A and deworming drug are given simultaneously during the GP activity, eitherdrug can be given first.2. Adolescent femalesIt is recommended that all adolescent females who consult the health be given anthelminthicdrugAlbendazole 400 mg once a yearOrMebendazole 500 mg once a year3. Pregnant womenIt is recommended that all pregnant women who consult the health be given anthelminthic drugonce in the 2 nd trimester of pregnancy.In areas where hookworm is endemic:Where hookworm prevalence is 20 – 30%Albendazole 400 mg once in the 2 nd trimesterOrMebendazole 500 mg once in the 2 nd trimesterWhere hookworm prevalence is > 50%, repeat treatment in the 3 rd trimester

4. Special groups, e.g., food handlers and operators, soldiers, farmers and indigenouspeopleSelective deworming is the giving of anthelminthic drug to an individual based on the diagnosisof current infection. However, certain groups of people should be given deworming drugsregardless of their status once they consult the health center.Special groups like soldiers, farmers, food handlers and operators, and indigenous people are atrisk of morbidity because of their exposure to different intestinal parasites in relation to theiroccupation or cultural practices.For the clients who will be dewormed selectively, treatment shall given be anytime at the healthcenters.Guidelines/Administrative OrdersAO No. 2010-0023 – guidelines on deworming drug administration and themanagement of adverse events following deworming (AEFD)AO No.2006-0028 – Strategic and operational framework for establishing integratedhelminth control program (IHCP)Status of the programDeworming of target population during:1-5 years old – during Garantisadong Pambata (GP) April and October6-12 years old (school children Grade 1-6 enrolled in public schools) every January and JulyPartner Organizations/Agencies:World Health Organization (WHO)University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH)United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)World VisionFeed the Children InternationalHelen Keller International (HKI)Council for the Welfare of Children

Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Institute (DOST -FNRI) Department of Education (DepEd) Plan International Save the ChildrenProgram Managers:Dr. Yvonne CF LumampaoProgram ManagerDepartment of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2352Dr. Ernesto ES Villalon IIIAssistant Program ManagerDepartment of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC)Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 23527302 reads