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Home > Why this Toolkit > Helminth Infections
Helminth Infections
One of the major health problems faced by hundreds of millions of school-age children is infection by helminths, more commonly known as worms. School children are often the group that has the highest infection rate as well as the highest worm burden, which contributes greatly to the contamination of the environment (WHO, 1995).
The most common types of helminths are roundworm, whipworm, hookworm, schistosome (also known as bilharzia) and other flukes, and guinea worm. The global prevalence and number of cases of intestinal helminth infection in school-age children are estimated at 35 percent (320 million) for roundworm, 25 percent (233 million) for whipworm, and 26 percent (239 million) for hookworm (Partnership for Child Development, 1997).
Helminths consume nutrients from the children they infect. In doing so they bring about or aggravate malnutrition and retard children's physical development. They also destroy the tissues and organs in which they live, and cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, anemia, ulcers, and various other health problems. If left untreated, in some cases, heavy or long-term infection can result in death. Helminth infections also contribute to poor appetite and decreased food intake, which contribute to malnutrition, anemia, and other poor states of health and result in impairment of learning and poor school performance.
Children who have heavy helminth infections are more likely to be absent from school for a greater proportion of the time than those who are lightly infected or worm free (Nokes & Bundy, 1993). Figure 1 illustrates the relationship between the incidence of whipworm, a specific type of helminth, and school absence.
Figure 1. Relation of School Absence to Whipworm Infection
Proper hygienic procedures, especially hand washing and disposal of excreta, can control the transmission of helminths. Figure 2 illustrates the role that dirty hands can play in the helminth life cycle.
Figure 2. Life Cycle of Intestinal Helminths
Source: WHO 1997
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