National Deworming Month is a twice a year campaign of the Department of Health observed every January and July to address the public health problem on soil-transmitted helminths. Several studies suggest that the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in remote and poor rural areas is still high among children.

Soil-transmitted helminths (roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms) are the most common and widespread human parasites causing infection globally. They are estimated to infect about one quarter of the world’s population and has detrimental effects on the growth and development of children.

STH can impair nutritional status of the most vulnerable by causing internal bleeding which can lead to loss of iron and anemia, intestinal inflammation and obstruction, diarrhea, and impairment of nutrient intake, digestion, and absorption.

World Health Organization recommends treating all children at regular intervals with deworming drugs in areas where helminth infection is common to reduce the worm burden of soil-transmitted helminth infection. It also benefits children for better nutrient absorption, strong immunity, and overall improvement on their health and nutrition.

As National Deworming Month observed this January, Department of Health is encouraging everyone to join the Oplan Goodbye Bulate. The local health workers, midwives, and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) will be conducting house-to-house visit to distribute deworming drugs for the individuals aged 1-19 years old. So, took part para maging malusog, masigla at matalino ang inyong mga anak!

References:

Department of Health (2021). Healthy Pilipinas: Oplan Goodbye Bulate! Retrieved from: https://web.facebook.com/DOHhealthypilipinas/posts/236426958672222

Liu, C., and Luo, R. et.al. (2015). Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Southwestern China: A Cross-Sectional Study of Links to Cognitive Ability, Nutrition, and School Performance among Children Retrieved from: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0003877

Scott, M.E. and Koski, K.G. (2020). Soil-Transmitted Helminths: Does Nutrition Make a Difference? https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-56913-6_12

World Health Organization. (n.d.) e-Library of Evidence for Nutrition Actions (eLENA): Deworming in children. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/elena/titles/deworming/en/

Written by: NO II Bianca Estrella