Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, also known as intestinal parasitism, remains to be a public health concern in developing countries including the Philippines. These infections are commonly caused by intestinal worms such as roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm.
Worm eggs and worms are found in contaminated soil or water. These can be transmitted through ingestion of worm eggs from contaminated food or hands, through the skin when walking barefoot on contaminated soil and inhalation of worm eggs. Poor hygiene and sanitation are also majors contributors in the transmission of worms.
Some of the high-risk groups for STH infections include children, adolescent females, pregnant women, occupational groups such as farmers and soldiers, and indigenous people. Since children love to play outdoors, they are at risk in getting the worms from the soil especially in places where people openly defecate.
People with worms may suffer from abdominal pain and enlargement of abdomen (for severe cases), redness or rash in the buttocks, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, appetite and weight loss, body weakness and fatigue and blood in the stool.
Some people may believe that having worms is good and beneficial, but it is the complete opposite. Worms survive by stealing the nutrients from the infected person. Infected people may suffer from lack of nutrients, poor performance in school, weakness and feeling tired and impaired mental and physical development in growing children. Also, parasitic worm infection may cause iron-deficiency anemia in female adolescents and pregnant women and both mother and child may suffer from malnutrition.
As part of its Integrated Helminth Control Program, the Department of Health (DOH) conducts Harmonize Schedule and Combined Mass Drug Administration (HSCMDA) every January and July in health centers, stations and schools, declaring these months as National Deworming Months. Deworming tablets such as Albendazole or Mebendazole can help get rid of parasitic worms. Other services include diagnosis and selective treatment in health centers, provision of safe drinking water, basic sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools and community, and health promotion and hygiene education.
DOH calls for parents and caregivers to include their children in the Oplan Goodbye Bulate to ensure that they grow strong, healthy, and smart. This January, health care workers nationwide will go house-to-house to administer deworming tablets to qualified individuals aged 1-19 years old.
Makilahok sa Oplan Goodbye Bulate para maging malusog, masigla, at matalino ang inyong mga anak!
Visit the Healthy Pilipinas Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/DOHhealthypilipinas) for more information on this campaign.
Written by:
NOII Theresa A. Rivas and
NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
References:
1. Deworming: How to Reach the Stars. WASH in Schools Three-Star Approach. Department of Education. 2018.
2. Integrated Helminth Control Program. https://doh.gov.ph/health-programs/integrated-helmnith-control-program
3. Frequently Asked Questions – National Deworming Month. https://doh.gov.ph/health-programs/integrated-helmnith-control-program
4. Healthy Pilipinas Facebook Page
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, also known as intestinal parasitism, remains to be a public health concern in developing countries including the Philippines. These infections are commonly caused by intestinal worms such as roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm.
Worm eggs and worms are found in contaminated soil or water. These can be transmitted through ingestion of worm eggs from contaminated food or hands, through the skin when walking barefoot on contaminated soil and inhalation of worm eggs. Poor hygiene and sanitation are also majors contributors in the transmission of worms.
Some of the high-risk groups for STH infections include children, adolescent females, pregnant women, occupational groups such as farmers and soldiers, and indigenous people. Since children love to play outdoors, they are at risk in getting the worms from the soil especially in places where people openly defecate.
People with worms may suffer from abdominal pain and enlargement of abdomen (for severe cases), redness or rash in the buttocks, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, appetite and weight loss, body weakness and fatigue and blood in the stool.
Some people may believe that having worms is good and beneficial, but it is the complete opposite. Worms survive by stealing the nutrients from the infected person. Infected people may suffer from lack of nutrients, poor performance in school, weakness and feeling tired and impaired mental and physical development in growing children. Also, parasitic worm infection may cause iron-deficiency anemia in female adolescents and pregnant women and both mother and child may suffer from malnutrition.
As part of its Integrated Helminth Control Program, the Department of Health (DOH) conducts Harmonize Schedule and Combined Mass Drug Administration (HSCMDA) every January and July in health centers, stations and schools, declaring these months as National Deworming Months. Deworming tablets such as Albendazole or Mebendazole can help get rid of parasitic worms. Other services include diagnosis and selective treatment in health centers, provision of safe drinking water, basic sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools and community, and health promotion and hygiene education.
DOH calls for parents and caregivers to include their children in the Oplan Goodbye Bulate to ensure that they grow strong, healthy, and smart. This January, health care workers nationwide will go house-to-house to administer deworming tablets to qualified individuals aged 1-19 years old.
Makilahok sa Oplan Goodbye Bulate para maging malusog, masigla, at matalino ang inyong mga anak!
Visit the Healthy Pilipinas Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/DOHhealthypilipinas) for more information on this campaign.
Written by:
NOII Theresa A. Rivas and
NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
References:
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, also known as intestinal parasitism, remains to be a public health concern in developing countries including the Philippines. These infections are commonly caused by intestinal worms such as roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm.
Worm eggs and worms are found in contaminated soil or water. These can be transmitted through ingestion of worm eggs from contaminated food or hands, through the skin when walking barefoot on contaminated soil and inhalation of worm eggs. Poor hygiene and sanitation are also majors contributors in the transmission of worms.
Some of the high-risk groups for STH infections include children, adolescent females, pregnant women, occupational groups such as farmers and soldiers, and indigenous people. Since children love to play outdoors, they are at risk in getting the worms from the soil especially in places where people openly defecate.
People with worms may suffer from abdominal pain and enlargement of abdomen (for severe cases), redness or rash in the buttocks, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, appetite and weight loss, body weakness and fatigue and blood in the stool.
Some people may believe that having worms is good and beneficial, but it is the complete opposite. Worms survive by stealing the nutrients from the infected person. Infected people may suffer from lack of nutrients, poor performance in school, weakness and feeling tired and impaired mental and physical development in growing children. Also, parasitic worm infection may cause iron-deficiency anemia in female adolescents and pregnant women and both mother and child may suffer from malnutrition.
As part of its Integrated Helminth Control Program, the Department of Health (DOH) conducts Harmonize Schedule and Combined Mass Drug Administration (HSCMDA) every January and July in health centers, stations and schools, declaring these months as National Deworming Months. Deworming tablets such as Albendazole or Mebendazole can help get rid of parasitic worms. Other services include diagnosis and selective treatment in health centers, provision of safe drinking water, basic sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools and community, and health promotion and hygiene education.
DOH calls for parents and caregivers to include their children in the Oplan Goodbye Bulate to ensure that they grow strong, healthy, and smart. This January, health care workers nationwide will go house-to-house to administer deworming tablets to qualified individuals aged 1-19 years old.
Makilahok sa Oplan Goodbye Bulate para maging malusog, masigla, at matalino ang inyong mga anak!
Visit the Healthy Pilipinas Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/DOHhealthypilipinas) for more information on this campaign.
Written by:
NOII Theresa A. Rivas and
NPC Milagros Elisa V. Federizo
References:
1. Deworming: How to Reach the Stars. WASH in Schools Three-Star Approach. Department of Education. 2018.
2. Integrated Helminth Control Program. https://doh.gov.ph/health-programs/integrated-helmnith-control-program
3. Frequently Asked Questions – National Deworming Month. https://doh.gov.ph/health-programs/integrated-helmnith-control-program
4. Healthy Pilipinas Facebook Page
