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EVERY
OTHER
KID
aged 6-14 years old &
3 out of 5 KIDS aged 1-5 years old
are affected by STH
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The World Health Organization classifies soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) as a neglected tropical disease, for it is mainly prevalent in tropical areas and impacts over 1.5 billion people in poverty worldwide; that's more than 24% of the human population.
Map of Human Development Globally
via Our World in Data
Map of STH Prevalence Globally
via ResearchGate, Global Atlas of Helminth Infection
As it is contracted as a result of improper hygiene practices and lack of access to basic sanitation, STH tends to impact the low-income and poorest communities. It comes as no surprise that the less developed countries are hit the hardest as STH is a disease of poverty.
How does it work?
Unlike other widely recognized illnesses like the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19, STH is not caused by a virus inhaled through droplets in the air, but rather parasitic worms that penetrate the skin or accidental ingestion of microscopic larvae. Contraction of STH is a cycle.
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In the Philippines, there are 3 main species of helminth:
Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm)
Ancylostoma duodenale
(hookworm)
Trichuris trichiura
(whipworm)
via BiologyWise
via The Washington Post
via Happy Science
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Both fertilized and unfertilized helminth eggs can be released into the soil or surrounding environment through an infected individuals' feces as a result of open defecation
2
3
From the eggs hatch larvae that either remain in the soil or find their way onto plants and surfaces that are not regularly cleaned.
4
It then becomes easy for an individual's body to come into contact with the helminths and can happen upon:
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Walking bare foot on contaminated soil
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Touching contaminated surfaces then proceeding to touch your face
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Eating improperly cleaned vegetables and other foods
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Not practicing proper hygiene (ex. not washing your hands before eating)
5
Once inside the body, the helminths locate and lodge themselves into the intestines and suck nutrients from their host, growing larger the more time they spend inside.
6
Apart from robbing their host of essential nutrients, helminths begin laying more eggs inside the digestive tract of their host, which are excreted with feces; and as a result of open defecation, the cycle of sickness is propogated.
The Effects
Lack of recognition, attention, and action towards STH, especially in the Philippines, only exacerbate the problem as tens of millions of children suffer annually from the following symptoms of STH:
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Abdominal pain
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Nausea and vomiting
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Weakness
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Diarrhea
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Blood and protein loss
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Apart from the symptoms that manifest during infection, STH is infamous for causing malnutrition, which leads to stunted physical development, and severe cognitive impairment. In fact, the Philippines has the highest number of stunted children in all of South East Asia. Additionally, STH has been proven to impair school performance as students do not only become mentally disadvantaged, but are not able to attend classes due to the severe symptoms of the disease.
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We interviewed the indigenous Aeta residents of Barangay San Isidro in Tarlac, one of our partner communities, on their access to proper sanitation systems and exposure to diseases such as STH.
What's the point?
The bare Essentials
No Bare event is ever complete without a distribution of the Bare essentials, which consist of hand washing soap, isopropyl alcohol, and paper towels, all hand-packed into our vibrant waterproof toiletry bags. And of course, a new pair of slippers, the essential that started it all. With the help of our generous donors, we've been able to purchase over 400 pairs of slippers and hygiene kits for children living in high-risk areas to use as protection against STH.
Tissue Paper Packet
Anti-bacterial Soap
Isopropyl Alcohol
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