Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis are parasitic infections prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, such as the Philippines. The prevalence of these infections remain high in certain Philippine provinces, despite established mass drug administration (MDA) programs in endemic communities. This study aimed to understand community knowledge and perceptions of these infections to determine their implications on the current control and elimination strategies, including possible barriers to MDA compliance. The study was conducted in Northern Samar and Sorsogon, two provinces with the highest STH and schistosomiasis prevalence in the country. Focus group discussions with separate parent and children groups were utilized to gather knowledge and perceptions on STH and schistosomiasis causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention; and on the deworming drugs and overall program implementation. Data collection in Northern Samar were done in August 2017, while the sessions in Sorsogon took place in May 2018. A cultural construction of disease framework will show how several factors affect MDA participation. Results showed that participants held mostly correct biomedical notions of the infections and expressed willingness to participate in MDA program. However, reservations remained due to a reported lack of information dissemination, lack of confidence in the drugs used, and widespread fear of adverse side effects. Addressing these concerns - improving the conduct of the deworming program, incorporating suggestions from the community, and managing potential adverse events - may help raise MDA participation and encourage better personal preventive practices, reducing STH and schistosomiasis prevalence. N/A

中文翻译：

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菲律宾部分学校对土源性蠕虫病和血吸虫病大规模药物管理的社区看法

土源性蠕虫病（STH）和血吸虫病是热带和亚热带国家（例如菲律宾）流行的寄生虫感染。尽管在流行社区建立了大规模药物管理（MDA）计划，但菲律宾某些省份的这些感染流行率仍然很高。本研究旨在了解社区对这些感染的了解和看法，以确定它们对当前控制和消除策略的影响，包括 MDA 合规性的可能障碍。这项研究是在北萨马省和索索贡省进行的，这两个省是该国 STH 和血吸虫病患病率最高的省份。利用与不同家长和儿童小组的焦点小组讨论来收集有关 STH 和血吸虫病原因、症状、治疗和预防的知识和看法；以及驱虫药物和总体方案的实施情况。北萨马岛的数据收集于 2017 年 8 月完成，而索索贡的会议于 2018 年 5 月举行。疾病框架的文化构建将显示几个因素如何影响 MDA 参与。结果显示，参与者对感染的生物医学概念基本持正确态度，并表示愿意参与 MDA 项目。然而，由于据报道缺乏信息传播、对所用药物缺乏信心以及普遍担心不良副作用，人们仍然持保留态度。解决这些问题——改进驱虫计划的实施、采纳社区的建议以及管理潜在的不良事件——可能有助于提高 MDA 的参与度并鼓励更好的个人预防措施，减少 STH 和血吸虫病的流行。不适用