Can parasites cause anemia and undernutrition in Northern Rwanda?
Northern Rwandan inhabitants infected with more than two species of parasitic worm are more likely to be underweight than those with just one or with no infection, according to new research published September 15 in the open-access journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. The researchers, from the Rwanda Access Project, Imperial College London, and Columbia University, say this highlights the value of regular deworming for children. Parasitic worm infections – often with more than two different worms – are some of the most common afflictions of people living in developing countries, primarily in rural areas, where they often have no access to health services. Parasite infections generally receive less attention than other diseases in developing countries, and very few studies have examined the implications for human health of multiple infections (polyparasitism). The aim of this study was to determine the burden of such infections on the health of people in Rwanda. The results show th
