Periodic deworming with pyrantel in an industrial township

Between June 1986 and September 1987 a population of 100 families was dewormed every 3 months (quarter) by using a single dose of pyrantel. Stool samples were examined by Kato's thick smear method; height (m), weight (kg), hemoglobin concentration (g/dl) and clinical morbidity were recorded before each deworming treatment. Clinical morbidity was recorded in another 100 control families who did not receive anthelmlntics. There were 477 and 490 individuals in the study and the control families respectively. In the study group the prevalence of roundworm was reduced from 10.3% to to 0% and that of hookworm infection was reduced from 2.9% to 0% after 2 quarters. At the end of the 4th quarter the mean hemoglobin rose by 0.1 g/dl (P less than 0.01) and the mean BMI increased by 0.37 (P less than 0.01). There was a significant reduction in the clinical morbidity in the study group compared with the control group (P less than 0.05). There were no side effects reported to pyrantel treatment. Thus quarterly treatment with pyrantel was found to be effective in keeping roundworm and hookworm prevalence at 0% in an industrial township.