Why it’s important to deworm children yearly

Parents have been advised to always deworm their children to secure them against anaemia, vitamin A deficiency and other ailments.

Rotkang Okunlola, chief pharmacist, Dilimi Pharmacy, Jos, gave the advice on Monday, in an interview with NAN in Jos.

Okunlola said most parents and guardians usually refuse to deworm their children, noting that such neglect had “lots of detrimental effects on the health of the child”.

“Deworming saves children from worm infestation; worm infestation is, in itself, a diseases caused by intestinal parasitic worms such as round worm, whip worm and hook worm.

“If left untreated, the worms feed on body organs including the blood, which could result in anaemia and deficiency of iron and proteins.

“The situation could also lead to vitamin A deficiency and lead to loss of appetite,” she said.

She said the situation could affect the child’s physical growth and development, and cause impairment on mental and intellectual development.

The expert explained that children get infected through eating or using utensils that were contaminated with the eggs of the parasitic worm.

“Children can also be infected directly through the skin when they walk barefooted,” she said.

“Even when your home is hygienic with good sanitation measures, children are constantly exposed to contaminated environment in school and the playground which may lead to infection.”

She advised that deworming be carried out once or twice in a year.