Carolin Vegvari at the London Centre for NTD Research Anniversary Event 2021

16 Feb 2021

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a major cause of poor health in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, hookworm is known to cause anaemia in children and women of reproductive age (WRA). One goal of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 roadmap for neglected tropical diseases is to reduce STH-related morbidity in WRA. Using mathematical models we show that deworming adolescent girls annually during human papilloma virus vaccination programmes and women of reproductive age during pregnancy and lactation can reduce morbidity by up to 20%. These routine interventions are low cost can be implemented in basic health services in endemic countries.