The Benefits of Deworming

Soil Transmitted Helminthiases

Soil Transmitted Helminthiases (STH) afflicts Filipinos living in the endemic areas.  It is the third most prevalent infection worldwide, second only to the diarrheal diseases and tuberculosis. The prevalence of STH among the two to five years old is lesser but they suffer the greatest impact of the disease when they get infected.


Many programs on the deworming of children have recently been established to effectively and efficiently control the STH and mass deworming, considered by the World Bank as the number one cost effective priority intervention among the five to fourteen year group.

The three major causes of intestinal parasitic infections in the Philippines are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus). They are classified as soil transmitted helminths (STH) because their major development takes place in the soil. 

Intestinal parasites live as long as 5 years, passing out as much as 240,000 eggs per worm per day. With unsanitary disposal of human stools, the eggs develop in the soil and can mechanically infect humans when fingers, food or water are contaminated with parasite eggs from the soil or when the infective larva of hookworms in the soil penetrate skin of barefooted individuals. As much as one ton of STH eggs per day is passed out in the soil worldwide.

Signs and Symptoms

• Anemia
• Malnutrition
• Stunted growth in height and body size
• Decreased physical activity
• Impaired mentak development and school performance

Children belonging to 2 to 5 years old are easily infected and they should be given treatment. The 6 to 14 years old harbor the greatest local of infection and are significant source of transmission (reservoir). The treatment should aim to reduce the source of infection. The frequency of treatment is 2x a year for 3 years.

Prevention and Control

Health Education

• Good personal hygiene - thorough washing of hands before eating and after using the toilet
• Keeping fingernails clean and short
• Use of footwear (slippers, shoes, etc.)
• Washing fruits and vegetables very well
• Advocate use of sanitary toilets
• Sanitary disposal of refuse and garbage
• In areas where water is not safe for drinking, teach families how to boil properly (at least 2-3 minutes from boiling point) or chlorinate (seek guidance of Rural Sanitary Inspector)
• Once signs and symptoms appear, consult RHU staff or your doctor

Book source: PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING in the Philippines