Routine Deworming of Children at Military Health Facilities
Chronic malnutrition in children is a major public health problem in Afghanistan, with a lack of adequate household food intake and suboptimal infant and young child feeding and hygiene practices contributing to poor nutritional outcomes. STH infestation may compound deficiencies in vital micronutrients and the physical and cognitive development of children may be impaired, with potential long-term effects on educational achievement and economic productivity. Afghanistan's relatively poor, remote, rural areas are ideal environments for opportunistic parasites; the effects of poor sanitation and infrastructure have been exacerbated by the enduring conflict that has troubled the country for many years. Survey data indicate that STH prevalence in several regions of the country is 20–50%, with some areas around Kabul >50%. A high proportion of Afghans are children, and they continue to suffer the consequences of repeated infestation despite recent eradication programs.
The biggest deworming campaign in Afghanistan to date was undertaken in 2004, when the United Nations World Food Programme in collaboration with the WHO, UNICEF and the Afghan Ministries of Health and Education were able to treat 4.5 million children. This fell short of the total number of school-age children (approximately 9 million) because a large proportion of these children do not attend school, as circumstances may mitigate against attendance. School attendance is poor primarily due to problems with accessibility and security; however, there is gender imbalance and school restriction due to poverty, with children having to work or being excluded from education due to marriage.
Worms in Afghanistan
Chronic malnutrition in children is a major public health problem in Afghanistan, with a lack of adequate household food intake and suboptimal infant and young child feeding and hygiene practices contributing to poor nutritional outcomes. STH infestation may compound deficiencies in vital micronutrients and the physical and cognitive development of children may be impaired, with potential long-term effects on educational achievement and economic productivity. Afghanistan's relatively poor, remote, rural areas are ideal environments for opportunistic parasites; the effects of poor sanitation and infrastructure have been exacerbated by the enduring conflict that has troubled the country for many years. Survey data indicate that STH prevalence in several regions of the country is 20–50%, with some areas around Kabul >50%. A high proportion of Afghans are children, and they continue to suffer the consequences of repeated infestation despite recent eradication programs.
The biggest deworming campaign in Afghanistan to date was undertaken in 2004, when the United Nations World Food Programme in collaboration with the WHO, UNICEF and the Afghan Ministries of Health and Education were able to treat 4.5 million children. This fell short of the total number of school-age children (approximately 9 million) because a large proportion of these children do not attend school, as circumstances may mitigate against attendance. School attendance is poor primarily due to problems with accessibility and security; however, there is gender imbalance and school restriction due to poverty, with children having to work or being excluded from education due to marriage.