Infections by Helminth Parasitic Worms

PARASITOLOGY ASSIGNMENT:
DISCUSS THE PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES POSED BY SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS INFECTIONS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD AND MORE SO IN AFRICA AND STATE HOW THE INFECTIONS COULD BE EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED.
INTRODUCTION
Globally, up to two billion people are estimated to be infected with one or more of the soil-transmitted helminthes (STH) that include roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichuria) and hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenal and Necator americanus). The worms thrive where the soil is warm and humid and sanitation is improper. As a result, this infection disproportionately affects the poor in the tropical and sub-tropical countries especially Africa, Asia and South America. Knowing the transmission dynamics and the environment, we will be able to point out the public health challenges posed by these parasites in those parts of the world and state how these diseases could be controlled.
TRANSMISSION MECHANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The A. lumbricoides and hookworms infect the small intestine and T. trichiura (Whipworms) infect the large intestine, especially the cecum. Their reproduction occurs outside the host, and this is a crucial feature of the epidemiology of these parasites. Eggs in the feces of infected persons are deposited in the soil. Ascaris and whipworm eggs become infective as they mature in the soil and infect people upon ingestion through hand-use, contaminated water and food. Hookworms do not infect through eggs but larvae that hatch out from them and penetrate the skin of humans when walking barefoot for example or larvae could also be ingested in the case of Ancylostoma duodenal.
PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES POSED BY SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS
Poverty related infections, soil-trans...

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...eggs from infected people and affect almost 2 billion people around the world especially in crowded, underdeveloped and poor-sanitation place like African countries, China, Central and south America, South East Asia causing abdominal discomfort, with diarrhea, mal- absorption, iron-deficient anemia, vitamin deficiency, inflicting about 150,000 death every year and leaving people with tremendous disabilities and suffering. All which compromise socioeconomic lives as well as countries development. The control of these epidemic diseases includes a regular mass treatment of individuals at risk in endemic areas with Albendazole, Mebendazole or Pyrental Pamoate. Awareness rose through health education using media and school and parents and implementation of hygienic behavior within the society for example in using latrines, sewerage, and appropriate landfill management