'We'll make the worms turn'

21 May 2015 - 02:09 By Nashira Davids

A war is being waged on worms - parasites that can in some cases have dire consequences for the lives of children. Dr Laura Appleby from the Partnership for Child Development in the UK says about 600-million schoolchildren are at risk of infections globally.The Department of Basic Education has recognised it as an obstacle in South Africa, especially in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.Education officials with the Department of Health have started rolling out a deworming programme at primary schools and R30-million has already been set aside. It will involve giving tablets, at R2.50 each, to children, as well as education drives.Department spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said yesterday: ''It is a national problem we have identified and decided to tackle ... because we didn't have it in our health programmes and we saw a need to do it. We developed the programme last year and now we are implementing it."More than nine million children are fed through the government nutrition programme."The National School Nutrition Programme has proven over the years to be a key lever, especially for learners from poor households, to address hunger, and contributes to quality education," said Health Minister Angie Motshekga in her budget speech this month.But Mhlanga said the parasites were hampering the programme's progress since the worms consumed nutrients. This could impair growth and physical development."Worms also lead to minute bleeding in the sites they infest, which may, over time and with heavy infestation, lead to anaemia," he said."Worms also impair learners' cognitive development and limit educational advancement. When they infect the brain, worms may lead to epilepsy or fits."The deputy director-general for social mobilisation and support services, Dr Granville Whittle, said roundworms, whipworms and hookworms were among the causes of infection among pupils.Research showed that in 1999, 90% of children at 12 Cape Town primary schools were infected.The lowdownHow do we get worms?The eggs in faeces can get onto things that we touch, or flies carry them to plates, cups or food. We swallow the eggs, which grow into worms and find a place to grow, usually the intestines.How can we prevent worms?Drink enough water, dispose of faeces safely, wash hands and bottoms, keep fingernails short, keep clothes and bedclothes clean, wear shoes or flip-flops, use plenty of water for cleaning, reduce flies, keep food and water covered.Symptoms of wormsItching anus, poor sleep, bad temper, restlessness, paleness, stomach ache.- Unicef..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.