Undergraduate Special Problem
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Item Relationship of moderate to heavy Trichuris trichiura infection with the packed red cell volume and mental ability of elementary schoolchildren in Miag-ao, IloiloCalibjo, Hartzell M.; Calvo, May Lyn A.; Dizon, Lourdes Anne A.; Garay, Cyrus Q.; Gonzales, Lorenz Alfred B.; Gibraltar, Felli Claire G.; Peralta, Lou Gillyn B.; Spitzer, Mark Manfred B.; Taburaza, Larimee S. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2005-04)Trichuris trichiura commonly known as whipworm is a nematode that infects human particularly primary school-aged children. Studies show that moderate to heavy Trichuris infection may adversely affect the cognitive functions of schoolchildren (Nokes, 1991) and may cause anemia overtime (Politt, 1982). However, this has not been established in the local setting. This led the researchers to locally conduct a study that would primarily determine the relationship of the moderate to heavy intensity of trichuriasis with the mental ability of schoolchildren and with the Packed Red Cell Volume. It also aims to determine if there is a significant difference between the mental ability test scores and the Packed Red Cell Volume of moderate to heavy Trichuris infected group and the non-infected group. Three coastal elementary schools in Miag-ao, Iloilo was chosen as the study sites. These were Miag-ao West Central Elementary School, Igtuba-Guibongan Elementary School, and Bacauan-Mambatad Elementary School. Five hundred twenty five (525) elementary pupils aged 8—14 years had their stool samples examined using Modified Kato Katz to determine the intensity of Trichuris infection. Thirty (30) moderate to heavy Trichuris infected students and another 30 non-infected students were randomly selected as the study sample. Capillary blood samples were collected from the 60-study sample. The packed red cell volume was determined using the Microhematocrit Method and was categorized as normal and below normal. Mental ability of the study sample was measured using the standardized Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT). The test instrument was administered and interpreted by the Psychometricians. The results of the tests consisted of verbal interpretation and was categorized as below average, average and above average. The results showed no significant difference between the moderate to heavy infected group and the non-infected group based on mental ability test verbal interpretation (p= 0.770). The non-infected group even obtained a higher proportion of study samples that were below average CFIT test scores compared with the moderate to heavy infected group. The results of packed red cell volume revealed that all study samples (100%) in the non-infected group had normal Packed Cell Volume (PCV). On the other hand, only 90% of the study samples in the moderate to heavy infected group had normal Packed Cell volume (PCV) while the remaining 10% had below normal PCV. Statistically however, the difference was not significant (p= 0.164). Finally, Linear Regression Analysis showed no linear relationship between mental ability test Deviation Intelligence Quotient and Packed Red Cell Volume among the study samples. The scatter plot diagram showed dispersed distribution of study samples which means weak relationship between the two variables. The insignificant results in this study could be attributed to various confounding variables that were not controlled strictly all throughout the study, as well as the insensitivity of the test instruments used. Thus, the study recommends controlling carefully the various extraneous variables such as socioeconomic conditions, nutritional status of the study sample. The study also recommends the use of more sensitive and specific instruments for measuring the blood level and cognitive functions.Item The health status of school-age children in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo CityAmamanglon, Keanne Paula H.; Bragancia, Ira May Joy E.; Gulmatico, Gideon M.; Guzman, Virgi Chrisbelle A.; Mercado, Pauline Victoria M.; Orbase, Jannina Faye O.; Reyes, Mary Camille E.; Yap, Maria Lorna Christy C. March (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2011-03)The study is a cross sectional survey to assess the health status of school-age children in barangay Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City. The health status of the children was evaluated using nutritional status assessment, child care practices of mothers/caretakers and past and present clinical history of disease, and respiratory function. Anthropometry and Clinical Signs were used to directly assess the nutritional status of the children. An Interview Schedule, with mothers/caretakers as respondents was used to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the household to where the children belong and also to obtain information on their child health care practices. Respiratory or Lung Function was assessed using Lung Peak Flow and Chest Expansion. The results of Anthropometry using the parameters for Weight-for-Age (WFA), Weight-for-Height (WFH) and Height-for-Age (HFA) revealed that 16.3% of the school-aged children were underweight; 10.7% were thin or wasted; 24.4% were stunted, and 4.0% were overweight/obese. The most common clinical signs indicative of malnutrition were pale conjunctiva and the occurrence of dental carries. Most of the children have been breastfed and availed of complete immunization during their pre-school age period. Almost half of them experienced childhood diseases like upper respiratory tract infections (e.g. cough, common colds, asthma, etc.). Peak flow analysis showed that among male, school-age children the average peak flow was 210.6L/minute while among female it was 195.7 L/minute. The computed average peak flow was 203.2 L/minute. The average chest expansion of the subjects was 2.4 cm and the chest expansion of male and female school-age children was 2.4 centimetres. The results obtained in this study can be used as a baseline for future studies especially in the light of the recent operation of a coal-fired power plant which might affect the health status of vulnerable age groups like pre-school and school-age children
