Soil-transmitted helminth (parasaitic worms) causes roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. Adult worms live in intestines where they produce thousands of eggs every day. These eggs contaminate the soil in areas that lack sanitation. STH infections can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood and protein loss, rectal prolapse, and physical and cognitive retardation.
Physicians say STH infections mainly cause anaemia, and it has no short-term solution. They also emphasise the need for awareness campaigns for parents. The Aga Khan University has identified the prevalence of widespread anaemia among women of reproductive age after a research. In Pakistan, the prevalence of anaemia among married women aged between 15 and 44 years is 26 per cent in urban areas and 47 per cent in rural areas. The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in urban areas ranges between 29 per cent and 50 per cent. An expert deplored that we have not made any long-term plan to meet this challenge. Anaemic women and children are weak and so is their immune system. Anaemia among pregnant women exposes them to pregnancy complications and even death. Anaemic women give birth to anaemic babies.
The Sindh government has planned to launch a deworming programme in the province by the end of this month.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2020.
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