(The Gist of PIB) Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases

(THE GIST OF PIB) Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases

14 States have shown reduction in the Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH) and 9 states have shown substantial reduction in STH follow up prevalence survey.

Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH), also known as parasitic intestinal worm infection, is known to have detrimental effects on children’s physical growth and well-being and can cause anaemia and under-nutrition.
Regular deworming as advised by the World Health Organization eliminates worm infestation among children and adolescents living in areas with high STH burden.
As per WHO Report on STH published in 2012, in India there were an estimated 64% children in the age group (1-14 years) at risk of STH.
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) completed the baseline STH mapping across the country by the end of 2016. The data showed varied prevalence ranging from 12.5 % in Madhya Pradesh to 85% in Tamil Nadu.

Since its launch in 2015, the National Deworming Day (NDD), a flagship program of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implemented as a biannual single day programme implemented through the platforms of schools and anganwadis.
Implementation of NDD is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Education and technical assistance from WHO and the technical partners.