Deworming Program In Low-Income Nicaraguan School

Abstract

Infection of soil-transmitted helminths (STH), commonly referred to as intestinal worms, are estimated to plague over 1.5 billion of the world’s most impoverished communities. Developing countries bear the largest burden of STH infections due to lack of access to clean water, safe housing, sanitation infrastructure, education and healthcare. In 2017, the director of the World Health Organization’s Neglected Tropical Diseases department, stated, “There is now global consensus that periodic, large-scale deworming is the best way to reduce the suffering caused by intestinal worms,” [1]. In addition, numerous studies have shown significant efficacy particularly among school-based deworming interventions.

Therefore, in order to best steward the health and wellbeing of their students, as well as to comply with the World Health Organization’s recommendations, the Granada Christian Education Center (GCEC) ― a primary school located in one of the poorest areas of Nicaragua ― is requesting $1000 in funding to establish a school-based deworming program among their growing student body.