Assessing Deworming Programs Targeted to Adolescent and Adult Women

Casapia, Wilfredo

Abstract

Women of reproducfive age, including adolescent girls, pregnant women in their second or third trimester, and lactating women constitute a high-risk group for morbidity attributable to the soil-transmitted helminths, primarily Trichuris and hookworm infections. WHO, among other global, regional and national organizafions, recommends mass deworming targeted to this group in endemic areas where the prevalence of hookworm infection exceeds 20%. The research we propose will provide empirical evidence on which to guide health policy and program implementafion for large-scale deworming programs targefing this at-risk group. Four objecfives are identified: 1) to conduct a systemafic review of inadvertent exposure to deworming in the first trimester of pregnancy;2) to assess the receptiveness of adolescent girls of school- age to answer quesfions on pregnancy (to rule out deworming during the first trimester during school-based deworming programs);3) to determine the stage of pregnancy at which women will first attend an antenatal care clinic;and 4) to determine the health impact, to mothers and babies, of deworming administered to women in-hospital, immediately after delivery. The results of this research will contribute to ensuring cost- effective and efficient deworming programs targeted to women of reproductive age and, ulfimately, to reducing the disease burden of helminth infection in this vulnerable population.

Public Health Relevance

Women of reproducfive age have largely been neglected by deworming programs despite being one of the three most at-risk groups for which deworming is recommended (primarily due to anemia caused by Trichuris and hookworm infections). This may be because several research gaps limit the development of health policy and program management in this area. The proposed research therefore addresses four important concern.';stjrroijndina thft administratir^n nf dewnrnninn rinjo.s in adnlfi.