Sanitation key to wiping out worms<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: Health officials warned yesterday that a pure medical
\nremedy to eradicate worm infestation and disease was not
\nsufficient, but required a change in people's daily attitude
\ntowards personal hygiene and environmental sanitation.<\/p>\n
Head of the Ministry of Health Directorate for Public
\nNutrition Supervision, Dr. Benny A. Kodyat, told The Jakarta Post
\nthat children had to get accustomed to hygienic habits, such as
\nwashing hands, bathing and wearing footwear outside the house, if
\nhelminthiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms, is to be
\neradicated.<\/p>\n
\"If they can pick up these good habits, I think we can
\neradicate the disease,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A study conducted in 1995 in the eastern part of Indonesia
\nfound that in many villages surveyed, between 40 percent to 70
\npercent of residents were infected with the disease.<\/p>\n
The study found that the disease usually infected those in
\nvillages with poor sanitation.<\/p>\n
In all cases children were the most vulnerable. Once infected,
\nimmunity is weakened causing paleness, tiredness and drowsiness.<\/p>\n
Benny was speaking yesterday at a seminar on the Supplementary
\nFood Program for Elementary School Children (PMT-AS).<\/p>\n
PMT-AS was launched by the government in July 1996 as part of
\npresidential instructions on least-developed villages (IDT).<\/p>\n
Along with supplementary food, the government provides worm
\ndisease medication to elementary school students.<\/p>\n
So far there has been no survey on the success of the latest
\neffort to wipe out the disease. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sanitation-key-to-wiping-out-worms-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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