Abstract
The current deworming strategy for soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) focuses on pre-school and school-aged children and women in the reproductive age to eliminate morbidity. However, mathematical modeling and meta-analysis show that STH could be eliminated if the entire population, including adults, were treated. The Government of India (GOI) has been deworming children through various maternal and child health programs and school health programs. One of the largest initiatives is the school-based biannual deworming program for children aged 1-19 years in the ‘National Deworming Day’ since 2015. Women of the reproductive age have the opportunity to get dewormed under the Anemia Free India program. Adult men and women have the opportunity to receive Albendazole in the lymphatic filariasis (LF) endemic districts. The gaps in deworming are women above the age of 49 and adult men above 19 years, living in non-LF endemic areas. Understanding gaps in deworming will help plan policy changes and program strategies for STH elimination in India, which has 21% of the global STH burden, as well as in other STH endemic countries.
Highlights
Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus are among the most common infections in humans [1]
As the World Health Organization (WHO), in its strategic plan document for STH 2011-2020, called for in-country coordination across ministries to maximize the deworming effort, this scoping exercise shows that Government of India (GOI) is highly committed to addressing STH infections by creating convergence mechanisms across various ministries [20, 21]
Albendazole has been the drug of choice in all the deworming activities in GOI’s programs and schemes
Summary
Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), and Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus (hookworms) are among the most common infections in humans [1]. A recent trial in Kenya showed that community-wide mass drug administration (cMDA) leads to a significantly higher reduction in STH prevalence in children than targeted deworming of SAC [23, 24]. Trials are underway, including in India, to study the feasibility and impact of community-wide deworming compared to school-based deworming as a strategy for interrupting transmission of STH [25, 26]. Empirical evidence from such trials will provide further evidence to policymakers and other key stakeholders in developing strategic STH control and elimination programs
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