An estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide, including hundreds of millions of children, are vulnerable to illnesses due to the absence of regular deworming, a medical expert has said.
Dr. Adams Sunday, Research Fellow II in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, disclosed this during a lecture titled, “Good Worm, Bad Worm: The Paradox of Soil-Transmitted Helminths,” delivered at a seminar organised by the Institute of Child Health in Benin City.
According to him, prevention and control of soil-transmitted helminth infections require periodic deworming, improved sanitation, access to clean water, wearing footwear to prevent hookworm infection, and health education to reduce reinfection.
“Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are among the most widespread parasitic infections globally, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion people, including hundreds of millions of children who are especially vulnerable to their health impacts,” he said.
He explained that in children, STHs such as Ascaris, Trichuris, and hookworms contribute significantly to illness by causing malnutrition, impaired growth, and reduced cognitive development, thereby affecting school performance and long-term well-being.
On prevention and control, Dr. Sunday advised that vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly, efficient sewage disposal systems should be provided, and unhygienic practices such as indiscriminate defecation and dumping of excreta at refuse sites should be avoided. He also warned against the use of untreated sewage as fertilizer.
“Chronic infections cause general malaise, physical fatigue, and low physical fitness. This lethargy reduces a child’s ability to pay attention and focus in school, while recurrent abdominal pain and weakness often result in absenteeism.
“The compounding effect of educational loss, alongside structural cognitive deficits, severely diminishes long-term academic performance,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, is set to hold a valedictory seminar in honour of Prof. Charles Osayande Eregie, KSM, former Director of the Institute.
According to a statement by the current Director of the Institute, Prof. Mrs. Ayebor Sadoh, the seminar, titled “The Inaugural Deluge of Questions,” will be delivered by Prof. Eregie, a Professor of Child Health and Neonatologist at the Institute of Child Health and Consultant at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
