Deworming drugs for soil-transmitted intestinal worms in children: effects on nutritional indicators, haemoglobin, and school performance
Key Information
Authors
Taylor-Robinson, David C.; Maayan, Nicola; Soares-Weiser, Karla; Donegan, Sarah; Garner, Paul
Year published
2017
Study type
Report
Countries in analysis
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- China
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ethiopia
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- India
- Indonesia
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Uganda
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Viet Nam
Subnational
The study is not subnational.
Participants
- Boys (both in school and out of school)
- Girls (both in school and out of school)
Age range
None - 16
Analysis type
Meta-analysis / Systematic review
Intervention Description
The World Health Organization currently recommends that school children in endemic areas are regularly treated with drugs which kill these worms. The recommended drugs are effective at eliminating or greatly reducing worm infections, but the question remains whether doing so will reduce anaemia and improve growth, and consequently improve school attendance, school performance, and economic development, as has been claimed. Main intervention involved treatment with multiple doses of deworming drugs.
Approaches and Outcomes
- Deworming / Improved critical thinking
- Deworming / Increased test scores
- Deworming / Reduced absenteeism