The National Deworming Month is a semiannual campaign during the months of January and July. It seeks to cure and prevent helminth infections that are spread through the soil which causes detrimental impacts on a child's growth and development.

Worm infestation is a very common health problem in the Philippines. As a developing country, it has been a challenge to eradicate cases of worm infestation particularly school-aged children. Infections with roundworms are still more common at around 20% across the nation as of 2016. Therefore, school-age children who live in places where intestinal worm incidence is 20% or greater are advised to undergo mass deworming, according to the 2017 World Health Organization Guidelines.

The Department of Health (DOH) is still attempting to rid children's f intestinal parasites. During National Deworming Month (NDM), the DOH, in collaboration with schools and local government units (LGUs), is dispensing anti-helminthic drugs. The NDM is carried out by coordinating the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) schedules for Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) in the community and schools.

It is distinguished that STH can impede physical and cognitive development, which can lead to anemia, malnutrition, weakness, and poor physical and academic development in children. Additionally, worms are nutrient-stealing intestinal parasites that compete with their host for resources. Aside from the fact that it causes malnutrition, impaired mental and physical growth in growing children, it also reflects subpar academic and professional performance later in life.

The DOH WASH or Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All Campaign, shared a few tips on how to prevent acquiring STH infections:

• Perform deworming twice a year – medication for deworming only eliminates mature worms. Twice-yearly deworming aids in eliminating any leftover worm eggs and stops the transmission and reinfection of other people
• Use proper comfort rooms when defecating. Do not eliminate waste in open spaces - when people defecate outside, worm eggs are released into the soil, water, and environment, where they may come into contact with the skin, water supply, or food.
• Use footwears all the time - this is done to avoid hookworm infections, which are typically brought on by coming into contact with contaminated soil on the skin.
• Practice hand-washing religiously with soap and cleaning water – it is crucial to wash your hands before eating since worm eggs can be found in contaminated excrement, dirt, or water. This will prevent you acquiring infections and sickness.
• Prior to cooking, wash thoroughly the uncooked food items - eggs from worms can remain in the soil for months and contaminate fruits and crops. It will help kill the worm eggs and avoid infection to thoroughly wash raw fruits and vegetables in clean water before cooking them until they reach boiling point.

Parents are responsible for the general welfare of their children. By making sure their kids get dewormed twice a year and taking precautions against any potential infestation that might be acquired in the community. Let's work together to create a worm-free nation and healthy population! (Development Management Officer II Gwyn Y. Balaba/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./0963-1090-198)

References:

• Department of Education (2018). WASH in Schools: Three Star Approach. Deworming: How to Reach the Stars. Metro Manila: Department of Education. Retrieved on 26 July 2022 from deped.gov.ph
• Department of Health (n.d.) DOH Conducts National Deworming Month to Reinforce Prevention and Control of Soil-Transmitted Helminths. GOVPH. Retrieved on 26 July 2022 from https://doh.gov.ph/node/10545
• World Health Organization (n.d.). Deworming in children. World Health Organization. Retrieved on 26 July 2022 from https://www.who.int/elena/titles/deworming/en/