Intestinal helminthiasis in primary school children and its control in Kien Giang province

ABSTRACT

Mass deworming with mebendazol 500mg was made in three schools in the districts of Tan Hiep, Hon Dat and An Bien. A prior treatment survey showed a cumulative infection rate of helminth of 15.6% in the school children of which a light infection of Ascariasis, Trichuris and hookworm but high rate of mixed infection (23%) were found. The post-treatment survey showed a 10.7% of the cumulative infection and 9.2% of the mixed infection. The density of three species was light reduced. Six months after treatment, in Hon Dat where the treatment was combined with IEC, the infection rate was found 6.4%, and it was 13.3% in Tan Hiep where no IEC was made. Mass drug administration is thought to be a simple, safe and highly effective method of deworming that can be supported by both teachers and parents of school children. Periodical mass treatment will be more helpful if combined with IEC.