Periodic Deworming With Pyrantel For Roundworm And Hookworm Infections In A Farming Village Community.

Abstract

A farming village community of 512 completed one year of periodic deworming with a single 10 mg/kg oral dose of pyrantel every 3 months. Stool examination by Kato’s thick smear method showed that the prevalence of roundworm infection (ascariasis) in the community decreased from 76% to 0%, and that of hookworm infection (ancylostomiasis) from 60% to 0%. During the same period the mean hemoglobin increased by 2.3 +/- 0.1 g/dl and the mean body mass index (BMI) increased by 0.90 +/- 0.04(P 0.01 for both) the drug was tolerated very well as side effects occurred following only 6% of doses (130/2048), and only 1% of these required symptomatic treatment. Quarterly deworming with a single dose of pyrantel is an effective and acceptable method of controlling roundworm and hookworm infections in farming village community having a high prevalence of these worms, and it helps improve the general health of the population to significant degree.