I Got Worms

Walking out our front door shoots us onto a busy street in one of Nairobi's main suburbs, Westlands. Thick dark clouds of exhaust fill the air as we turn to make our way down to the end of the road. Bicycles and pedestrians share the space with screeching matatus and a cluster of cars not adhering to normal traffic patterns, spilling over sidewalks and riding the middle line. After waiting and looking and waiting a bit more and looking once again, we finally cross to the other side. This is just one of a few streets we must maneuver on our walk to work each morning. 

There are many risks when living in Nairobi, the daily horrendous traffic, pollution emissions from gurgling exhaust pipes and situations with security. However, there are other risks that are not as apparent as these. They are tiny, minute hazards that can creep into your life at a moment's notice and stay with you until you return to the US or beyond.

What small perils do I speak of?

Lloyd: "This isn't my real job, you know."

Mary: "No?'

Lloyd: "Nope. My friend Harry and I are saving up to open our own pet store."

Mary: "That's nice."

Lloyd: "I got worms!"

Mary: "I beg  your pardon?"

Lloyd: "That's what we're gonna call it. 'I Got Worms!' 

Scene from the movie Dumb and Dumber.

We have been advised that if one remains in Africa for 6 months or more it is a good idea to get de-wormed. Yes I said it, de-wormed. Like what one does to their beloved pet back in the States. Despite how gross and unpleasant this subject is; it is a fact of life here, and all over the world for that matter.

In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one third of the world's population is impacted by parasitic infections. Of that, about three hundred million are severely ill and at least half of those are school-age children. This not only harms the health of children but also reduces their educational achievements. This is obviously not the sexiest topic in the developing world. Most folks want to put their money directly towards education or economic empowerment programs but if children are not well they won’t make it to school or do their best when they do attend.

Brian and I have the luxury of a pharmacy here in Nairobi where we can purchase over the counter medications for such ailments. 2 tablets taken at the same time with water and you should see improved results within just a few days. The cost for the 2 pills = Ksh 240 (approximately US$3.20). However, the WHO reports that the cost for a single treatment per child can be as little as US$0.02, some of the more expensive and effective drugs can be on average US$0.20. These medications can improve children's lives but so many are living in rural areas of the world making access and availability a challenge.

There are organizations out there that are working towards increasing availability, such as Deworm the World. This topic along with Deworm the World, amongst other groups working on life changing projects in the development field, are featured in an article from last December's The New York Times by Nicholas D. Kristof: check it out!

Deworm The World focuses on reaching children in schools all over the planet. They recognize that by piggybacking onto the already existing school structure they can minimize costs as well as impact the largest number of children at a time. According to a randomized trial in Kenya, de-worming children showed a reduction in school absenteeism by as much as 25 percent (Miguel and Kremer, 2004).

This experience is just another reminder of how fortunate we are in the West. The majority of Americans generally have ways of obtaining medications when we need them and live in relatively clean environments with access to running water and sanitation, significantly reducing the risk of parasitic infections. But for so many of the world's population, these basic items are not within reach, the very things all humans should have access to; thus making them vulnerable to parasitic dangers.

For those of us who are so lucky, do as your mother always said, wash your hands after using the facilities, before and after you eat and upon finishing a round of petting the family dog. But most importantly be thankful for your health and do something for those who are without.

http://www.dewormtheworld.org