Ancylostomiasis primary prevention

Effective measures for the primary prevention of ancylostomiasis include periodic mass anthelminthic treatment of at-risk populations, avoid gardening barefooted, patient education on proper hygiene and sanitation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends controlling STH morbidity through periodic mass anthelminthic treatment of at-risk populations living in endemic areas. Mainly targets preschool-age children, school-age children, and women of childbearing age, because of the particular need for micronutrients in this age group.^[1]

• Effective measures for the primary prevention of ancylostomiasis include:
  • preventive chemotherapy (PC): albendazole 400 mg PO single dose or mebendazole 500 mg Po single dose is recommended once a year when the prevalence of at least 20% of any STH infection among school-age children and twice a year when it exceeds 50%.
  • Also recommend, once PC started, it should be maintained for atleast 5 years.^[1]
  • For pregnant women especially for those who are in endemic areas prevalent with hookworm infection: albendazole 400 mg PO single dose or mebendazole 500 mg Po single dose after the first trimester.^[2]
  • Treating cats and dogs for hookworm.
  • Patient Education
    • We should educate the people especially in endemic areas prevalent with hookworm infection: ^[3][4]
      • Use of proper footwear and avoid gardening barefooted.
      • Avoid using water from unsafe sources shared with animals for domestic uses
      • Promotes improved sanitation and public health education about proper hygiene such as avoid open-ground defecation and proper utilisation of the pit latrine.
      • Avoid eating contaminated food.

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