National School Deworming Day on July 29

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The baseline prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis is 66% among 1-5 years old (2004) and 65% among 6-14 years old (2003). In response, the Department of Health (DOH) implemented mass deworming beginning in 2006 as one of the strategies to control STH infections.

Deworming has been found to have significant impact on the improvement of children’s education and health. However, there is a continuous challenge in achieving the desired MDA coverage among eligible school-aged children nationwide. Yearly, reports fall below 85%.

To deworm approximately 16 million school-aged children enrolled in 38,659 public elementary schools in one (1) day through the National School Deworming Day (NSDD) initiative this coming 29 July 2015.

–The NSDD is a nationwide effort targeting all 5 to 12 years old (Kindergarten to Grade VI) children enrolled in public elementary schools.

–School-aged children enrolled in private schools and children who are not enrolled are encouraged to participate. They can inform the DepEd Regional Office regarding their willingness to participate and in turn, the DepEd Regional Office can refer them to the DOH Regional Office.

The drug (Albendazole) is safe, effective and teacher-assisted given as a single dose in chewable form. 

 

NSDD LAUNCHING SITES
Region	School
NCR	Mandaluyong Elementary School, Mandaluyong City
CAR	Luna Central School, Luna Apayao
I	Dagupan West Central School, Dagupan City
II	Linao Elementary School, Tuguegarao City
III	San Fernando Elementary School, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
IV-A	Cainta Elementary School, Cainta Rizal
IV-B	Odiongan Elementary School,Odiongan Romblon
V	San Vicente Elementary School, Bato, Camarines Sur
VI	Hinigaran Elementary School, Negros Occidental
	Guihaman Buntatale Elementary School, Leganes, Iloilo
	Atabay Elementary School, San Jose, Antique
VII	Talisay City Central School, Talisay City
VIII	Abuyog Central School, Abuyog,North Leyte
IX	Aurora Central Elementary School, Aurora, Zambonga del Sur
X	West City Central School, Cagayan de Oro City
XI	Nabunturan Elementary School, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley
XII	Polomolok Central Elementary School, Polomolok, South Cotabato
CARAGA	Butuan Central Elementary School, Butuan City
ARMM	To be determined

NSDD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Evidence Base

1.What are intestinal worms (helminths)?

Intestinal Worms are parasites that live in human intestines for food to survive. The  presence of worms in the body will consume food  meant for the human body and will cause blood loss and eventually lead to anemia, poor nutrition and stunted growth. The three most common helminths are the Ascaris, Trichiuris & Hookworm .

2. How do people get infected with worms or parasites?

Worm or parasitic  infections commonly result from poor sanitation and hygiene conditions.  These infections  are transmitted by walking barefoot on soil contaminated with hookworm eggs, by inhaling pinworm eggs & by ingesting roundworm, whipworm, pinworm and tapeworm eggs thru contaminated food or hands.

3. How to prevent the spread of worm infections?

Worm or parasitic infections can be prevented: a. by using  sanitary toilets or latrines; b.by participating in deworming activities c. by improving hygiene thru washing hands, particularly before eating and after using toilets; d. by wearing slippers or shoes; e. by  drinking safe and clean water; g. by eating properly cooked food; h. by washing vegetables, fruits and salads in safe and clean water, i. by keeping fingernails and toenails clean and treamed, and j.by keeping the surroundings clean.

4. What are the effects  associated with having worms or parasites?

Worm  or parasitic infections  have adverse effects among children, adolescents & pregnant women. They interfere with the health, nutrition and education of children which results to the following: a. decreased physical/mental development; b. decreased physical activity; c. decreased performance in school and d. in severe cases , death. Among adolescents, can cause the worsening of anemia, especially during one’s monthly menstrual period. Among pregnant women, can cause Iron deficiency anemia and malnutrition of Mothers & babies. Children with heavy infections are often too sick or too tired to concentrate at school or attend school at all.

5. What is National School Deworming Day?

The NSDD is a nationwide effort targeting all 5 to 12 years old children or K to VI enrolled in public elementary schools. School-aged children enrolled in private schools and children who are not enrolled are encouraged to participate. They can inform the DepEd Regional Office their willingness to participate  in the NSDD & in turn the Regional Deped can relay it to DOH Regional  Office.  Coordination and preparation shall be made through the DOH Regional Offices. Other key stakeholders should also be involved. This activity promotes improved health service delivery among children.

6. When is National School Deworming Day?

The National School  Deworming Day will be observed on 30th July, 2015 in all public elementary schools nationwide.

7. Why treat all children if some do not appear sick?

The effects of worms might not be seen immediately, but they can cause long-term harm to children’s health, education, and overall well-being. Children can carry worms for a long time and not know they are sick; you will only see that they are doing poorly in school and not growing well. Since the drugs are safe whether or not a child is infected, and the cost of diagnosis is high, it is better to treat every child.

8. What is the WHO’s guidance on Deworming?

The WHO recommends preventing and controlling Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis-related morbidity through the periodic treatment of at-risk populations living in endemic areas, particularly preschool and school-age children and women of childbearing age (including pregnant women in the second and third trimesters and breastfeeding women).

The WHO recommends deworming treatment without previous individual diagnosis to all at-risk people living in endemic areas.

9. What is the Deworming treatment to be given to children?

Albendazole is the drug of choice. The recommended dosage for children aged 1 year old is ½ tablet of Albendazole (400 mg/tablet) and children aged 2 to 12 is 1 tablet (400 mg/tab).For young children the tablet should be broken and crushed and administered with water. Albendazole to be administered is flavored and chewable.

10. Does the Deworming treatment have side effects?

The deworming treatment has very few side effects. There may be some mild side effects like dizziness, nausea, headache, and vomiting, all likely due to the worms being passed through the child’s body. However these side effects disappear after some time.

Side effects are usually experienced by children with high infections. If symptoms do not go away within 24 hours, or if they are very severe, the child is probably experiencing something unrelated to the treatment and should be taken to the nearest health facility immediately.

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