Campaign promotes deworming in community
The National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE) on June 14 launched a campaign called “Deworm the Community 6116” in an effort to improve public health.
The campaign aims at encouraging regular deworming every six months to prevent worm-related diseases. For easy memorization, the NIMPE recommends the 6th of January and the first of June (thus the abbreviation of 6116) as the fixed dates for procedure.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the prevalence of parasitic worm infections in Vietnam ranges from 20 to 50 percent depending on regions. The rate among children can be as high as 80 percent in some areas in the north. However, parasitic worm infection still receives little attention as a tropical disease, even though it seriously affects the comprehensive growth of children and the health of adults.
NIMPE Director Dr. Tran Thanh Duong said the poor living standards and hygienic conditions as well as traditional eating habits in rural and mountainous areas are to be blamed for the high risk of worm infections. Therefore, he stressed the importance of raising public awareness about prevention.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the prevalence of parasitic worm infections in Vietnam ranges from 20 to 50 percent depending on regions. The rate among children can be as high as 80 percent in some areas in the north. However, parasitic worm infection still receives little attention as a tropical disease, even though it seriously affects the comprehensive growth of children and the health of adults.
NIMPE Director Dr. Tran Thanh Duong said the poor living standards and hygienic conditions as well as traditional eating habits in rural and mountainous areas are to be blamed for the high risk of worm infections. Therefore, he stressed the importance of raising public awareness about prevention.