A groundbreaking study on schistosomiasis participation in Oriental Mindoro has earned seven Ateneo de Manila University students the institution’s top research award.

The fourth-year BS Health Sciences students — Ericka Patrice B Abaño, Jana Therize G Barrientos, Justin Antonio Lagman, Trisha Gabriele B Lemoncito, Caitin Beatriz D Tan, Chiara Marie Fe M Tolentino, and Ysabela Marie C Ulanday — received the ASCEND Excellence Award for College Thesis Group Research on June 13, 2025.

Their research, titled “Factors Influencing Participation in the Schistosomiasis Mass Drug Administration: A Case-Control Study in Barangay Laguna, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro,” examined people participation in disease prevention programs in the province.

The award was presented during the Ateneo Service Learning Conference and Ateneo Socio-Civic Engagement For National Development conference at Escaler Hall, with the theme “Beyond the Common Good, Strive for the Common Good.”

The case-control study investigated factors determining community participation in mass drug administration programs for schistosomiasis in Barangay Laguna, Naujan.

Over five days, student researchers interviewed 239 residents to identify barriers and enablers to program participation.

The analysis revealed encouraging drivers including male gender, accurate awareness of bloody stool symptoms, correct understanding of program frequency, schedule alignment, and perceived susceptibility to the disease.

However, researchers also identified deterrents such as knowledge of freshwater snail vectors and elevated risk perceptions among barangay residents.

The study was conducted under faculty adviser Dr. John Wong in partnership with the people of Barangay Laguna, Naujan.

Schistosomiasis japonica is a public health threat in the country, with Oriental Mindoro consistently ranking among the highest-prevalence provinces.

The parasitic disease, transmitted through contact with contaminated freshwater containing infected snails, has been detected in several provinces in the country.

Photo: courtesy of Ateneo de Manila University’s official website