Experts say there is no evidence deworming improves health and education in children as studies have shownA new study has cast doubts on the long-term effectiveness of mass deworming programmes in contributing to the health and nutrition of children in Kenya and Uganda. It says there is no reliable evidence showing that deworming in children improves nutrition, health, education and therefore contributes to economic development through higher incomes. The new analysis found substantial doubt on the validity of the previous studies based on the information provided and the process of analysis that has been documented. The study, The Impact of Mass Deworming Programmes on Schooling and Economic Development: An Appraisal of Long-term Studies, however praises the efforts of parasitologists, economists and development specialists in mass drug administration to tackle worm infections. The 2017 impact assessment study also appraised another study done in 2012 that questioned the efficacy of mass deworming as opposed to deworming administered only to infected individuals.

Source: Daily Nation February 13, 2017 18:00 UTC