Current efforts for controlling soil-transmitted helminths, a risk factor for anemia, have focused on deworming school-aged children, as they tend to be the most vulnerable. However, there may be a more effective approach – expanding deworming programs beyond schools and into the whole community. Anthelmintic treatment expanded to all community members, may result in fewer worms being released into the environment, and therefore a reduced risk of exposure, infection, and reinfection. Deworming programs are urged to reexamine their approach to maximize protection.
The Conversation, December 2016.