Soil-transmitted helminthiases

Soil-transmitted helminth infections are among the most common infections worldwide and affect the poorest and most deprived communities. They are transmitted by eggs present in human faeces which in turn contaminate soil in areas where sanitation is poor. The main species that infect people are the roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and the hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). Soil-transmitted helminth infections are widely distributed in all WHO Regions.

For the control of these infections, WHO recommends the periodic administration of anthelminthic medicines (albendazole or mebendazole) as a public health intervention, for children (from 1 to 15 years of age) living in areas where the prevalence of STH is estimated to be over 20%. According to the reports submitted by countries about 898 million children worldwide required preventive chemotherapy for soil-transmitted helminthiases in 2022. In 2022 more than 515.7 million children in need of treatment received preventive chemotherapy for STH, corresponding to 57.4% global coverage. In 2022, 21 countries have reached the World Health Assembly's target of treating at least 75% of school-aged children requiring preventive chemotherapy for the disease.