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