New endemic foci of schistosomiasis infections in the Philippines.

Schistosomiasis affects 28 provinces in the Philippines found along the southeastern part where there is continuous rainfall throughout the year. In 2002 and 2005 respectively, two new endemic foci were reported in the northernmost (Gonzaga, Cagayan) and central (Calatrava, Negros Occidental) parts of the country. This study conducted in March 2008-March 2009 confirmed the presence of the disease by determining its prevalence using four diagnostic tests - Kato-Katz, circumoval precipitin test (COPT), ELISA and ultrasonography.

A national baseline prevalence survey of schistosomiasis in the Philippines using stratified two-step systematic cluster sampling design.

For the first time in the country, a national baseline prevalence survey using a well-defined sampling design such as a stratified two-step systematic cluster sampling was conducted in 2005 to 2008. The purpose of the survey was to stratify the provinces according to prevalence of schistosomiasis such as high, moderate, and low prevalence which in turn would be used as basis for the intervention program to be implemented. The national survey was divided into four phases.

Geographical information systems in health research and services delivery in the Philippines.

Accessible public data emanating from remote sensing from earth-observing satellites, as well as geographical information systems in general, are playing an increasing role in the public health sector in the Philippines. This paper reviews currently available systems in the country in this area, emphasizing the utility in complementing field studies with the development of disease models. The goal is to map out important biological threats by characterizing the niches infectious agents, and their vectors or intermediate hosts, occupy temporally and spatially.

Prevalence survey of schistosomiasis in Mindanao and the Visayas, The Philippines.

The first two phases of a national prevalence survey of schistosomiasis in The Philippines were completed in Mindanao in 2005 and the Visayas in the first quarter of 2007. The design was a stratified two-step systematic cluster sampling, with two Kato-Katz thick smears examined from each participant. In Mindanao, a total of 22 provinces spread in six regions were covered by the survey with five barangays (equivalent to a village) per province for a total of 110 barangays.