National Deworming Month is marked in January and July with the theme "Makilahok sa Oplan Goodbye Bulate para maging malusog, masigla, at matalino ang inyong mga anak!" to constantly urge the general public, in particular the parents, to get their children dewormed.

The Department of Health (DOH) continues to actively work to eradicate intestinal parasitism in children throughout the nation by administering anti-helminthic drugs in cooperation with schools and local government units (LGUs). It seeks to prevent and lessen Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections (STH), commonly referred to as intestinal worms, which continues to be a public health concern affecting children, expectant mothers, food handlers, farmers, and indigenous groups.

Several species of parasitic worms can transmit helminth infections through the soil. They are spread by the eggs found in human feces, which pollute the soil in unsanitary locations. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworms are the main culprits. STH can hinder physical and cognitive development, especially in children, which can result in malnutrition, frailty, and poor scholastic and physical progress, while it causes anemia in pregnant women and increases the chance that their unborn children will be underweight. This happens as a result of the worms feeding on the host's tissues, particularly the blood, which causes protein and iron loss.

Deworming tablets such as albendazole or mebendazole are the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of common intestinal worms according to World Health Organization (WHO). Regular deworming proves to be helpful in avoiding the severe effects of worm infection thus it is important to deworm twice a year.

Nevertheless, as is often said, prevention is still preferable to treatment. Hence, here are some simple ways to help prevent worm infection:

• Wash your hands before and after eating or preparing food
• Wash your hands after touching the soil or using the bathroom
• Keep your fingernails clean and short
• Frequent deworming of pet cats and dogs
• Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating
• Keep your surroundings clean
• Do not defecate in open areas
• Always drink clean and safe water
• Do not eat raw meat (beef, pork, chicken, fish)
• Take a bath regularly
• Wear shoes or slippers
• Keep food covered

Thus, prioritizing and understanding the value of sanitation and deworming children twice a year will help the government achieve its objectives of addressing all public health issues and eliminating all types of malnutrition in the nation. (Development Management Officer II (PNFP) Lizelle L. Bete / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 0963-1090-198)

References:

DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2010-0023 - GUIDELINES ON DEWORMING DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND THE MANAGEMENT OF ADVERSE EVENTS FOLLOWING DEWORMING (AEFD) - Supreme Court E-Library. (n.d.). https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/10/56054

 DOH CONDUCTS NATIONAL DEWORMING MONTH TO REINFORCE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS | Department of Health website. (n.d.). https://doh.gov.ph/node/10545

NHS website. (2022, April 11). Worms in humans. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/worms-in-humans/

Soil-transmitted helminth infections. (2023, January 18). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections

Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis. (n.d.). PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization. https://www.paho.org/en/topics/soil-transmitted-helminthiasis