While working at the clinic, we encouraged the patients to take deworming pills with a vitamin A capsule. This routine is done every 6 months. Most of those that came to the clinic, live in villages where there is no running water and their drinking water comes from the river, creek, or other water sources.
According to Wikipedia,
"According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2 billion people worldwide are infected with soil-transmitted helminthes (intestinal worms) or water-borne trematode worms called schistosomes. Many of those affected by worms live in low-income countries and do not have access to clean water and functional sanitation systems. Worm infections, while not immediately life-threatening, 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 less likely to attend school on a regular basis. Worms also present a barrier to increased economic development since children who have worms are less likely to be productive as adults."
Here is my disclaimer...
At the college, the water has been tested and it is deemed safe!!! Also, there is running water and flushing toilets at the college. Deworming was a precautionary measure taken for the "just in case (jic)" from being in the bush.
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