Let’s face it, some people have never been dewormed before in
their lifetime. Recent studies show that nearly two billion people
worldwide play host to intestinal worms or water- borne trematode worms
also called schistosomes, which basically grounds significant impact on
growth and development of human’s cognitive ability, nutrition, immunity
and general health. In this piece TUNDE OGUNTOLA x-rays why you should
deworm every three months, which is in line with the World Health
Organization (WHO) recommendations.
Deworming is one of the
most neglected treatment in humans despite recommendation by medical
experts. Basically, intestinal worms should be treated as ‘one of those
things’ that people get, for the sake of been human. Thus, one of the
obvious symptoms of worm infestations is vomiting, nausea, diarrhea,
stomach cramps, itchy skin and anemia.
To curtail the negative
impact of worm infestation, a number of organizations promoted the
deworming of children and adult as a public health and development
strategy, because most infections of these worms can lead to many health
problems.
According
to a medical practitioner, Dr Obeth Abu, Graceland clinic, Nasarawa,
‘’Many of those affected by worms live in low-income countries and do
not have access to clean water and functional sanitation systems.’’
He
said that, intestinal worms or water- borne trematode worms called
schistosomes, can have a significant negative impact on a child’s
cognitive ability and general health. For example, children who have
worms are more likely to become seriously ill and inactive.
A
General Physician, Dr Abiola Ajala, advised parents to deworm their
children periodically, at least every three months to prevent intestinal
worms infestation.
Ajala, a paediatrician with Optimal Children
Clinic Surulere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that
children had a higher risk of worm infestations.
She said that
regular deworming improved a child’s nutritional status and growth which
Parents are
advised to deworm their children at least every three months with
effective worm expellers. Regular deworming is in line with the World
Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation and it ensures a child
remains healthy and develops properly,’’ she said.
She said that
worm infestation in children could cause severe malnutrition, poor
learning abilities, poor physical development and reduce immunity which
leads to children falling ill often. Worm infestation was preventable in
children if regular and constant personal and environment hygiene
habits were maintained.
“Worms are mainly contacted through
unhygienic personal and environmental sanitary habits and also through
contact with contaminated items or food.
“Parents are encouraged
to develop consistent hygiene practices in their children such as
regular hand washing, especially before and after meals and after using
the toilet. It is important for them to also keep fingernails short and
clean always because fingernails can harbour dirt,’’ she said.
Studies
show that, schistosome and intestinal worms are among the most common
infections in developing countries and can impair nutritional status by
causing: internal bleeding which can lead to loss of iron and aenemia;
malabsorption of nutrients; diarrhoea; and loss of appetite which can
lead to a reduction in energy intake. Infections can also cause
cognitive impairment as well as tissue damage that may require
corrective surgery.
On a final note, worms also present a barrier
to increased economic development of any country since children who have
worms are less likely to be productive as adults.
culled from Leadership-news
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