In Depth

Approximately two billion people worldwide are at risk of infection with worms—nearly one third of the world’s population. Worm infections usually cause chronic weakness and poor health for much of the lives of those infected. Infections can also be severe; 300 million people are currently living with disabling conditions caused by worms. In their chronic state, worms deprive their hosts of energy, stunt growth, cause anemia, and limit educational achievement and productivity.

Worms have a serious detrimental impact on education: children who are sick are much less likely to attend school regularly. When they are present, infected children may have difficulty concentrating or be too tired to learn. As adults, people who have been infected with worms since childhood are less literate, and have a lower income. Rigorous studies demonstrate that children who receive treatment for worms experience improved educational achievement, health status, physical growth, and cognitive development.

The treatment for worms is one of the most cost-effective ways to
improve school participation. If an extra $3.50 is spent in a deworming program, the number of extra school days of attendance gained adds up to one school year. Treating children for worms through schools is efficient because it piggybacks on existing education infrastructure where access to health infrastructure (clinics and health workers) is limited, ensuring access to the maximum number of children.

The solution is achievable; serious infections have been largely
eradicated in high income countries through aggressive treatment
programs. The same goal can and should be reached in low and middle income countries. In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a target of deworming 75 percent of at-risk school aged children by 2010. However, in the fall of 2006, only 10 percent of at-risk school aged children had been treated.