Deworming is among the flagship programs of the Department of Health (DOH). It has been conducted nationwide by the government every January and July of every year. But why the hassle of doing such an activity? Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis is considered a public health concern by the health sectors because of its effects on the growth and development of a child. It can cause anemia, malnutrition, weakness, impaired physical and cognitive development. Hookworm infections are very much common in tropical and subtropical areas with high poverty rates. Where these parasites are more likely to survive given the ideal environment for them to grow. Because of this, hookworms are common in children ages 2-14 years old especially in school-age children as this age group is fond of doing outdoor activities and most are playing barefooted. Now, what are hookworms and how are these parasites being transferred from a person to another?
Although hookworms are not a major killer of children but can contribute to children’s sicknesses that can last all throughout childhood and adolescence stages. Thus, understanding hookworm is important to be able to prevent acquiring these parasites in our children. According to Lori Smith of Medical News Today, hookworms are parasites that cause infection in people of all ages that enter the body through the skin that can lead to a number of complications that can pass through via an infected human feces. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can be transferred through feces used as a soil fertilizer for gardening or defecating near the vegetable garden. The egg then deposited to the soil matures and hatches releasing larvae, and these larvae can now penetrate the skin of humans. Once the larvae enter the human body they will make their way to the bloodstream to the lungs and to the intestine where they can get nutrients to survive. At this stage, malnutrition can occur when prolonged exposure to hookworms in the children’s system can lead to stunted growth, causes cognitive and intellectual deficits, and produce damage to selected target organs such as the brain, liver, and urinary tract, and eventually to premature deaths.
Let this be a reminder to all mothers to instruct their children to always wear slippers and/or shoes outdoors and even indoors, frequent washing of hands and personal hygiene is important to prevent children from acquiring these parasites. Let us take care of our children as we take care of the future of this country.
NO II Joanna Marie E. Baltazar
References:
- What’s to know about hookworm infection?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313077
- Parasites- Hookworm
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/hookworm/index.html
- Hookworm Infection
https://www.healthline.com/health/hookworm