Dr Paul T Francis, MD Community Medicine College of Medicine, Zawia Ancylostomiasis Dr Paul T Francis, MD Community Medicine College of Medicine, Zawia

Hooks in the mouth Mouth of an Hookworm

Mouth of a Hookworm

Ancylostomiasis Is an important public health problem in the world It is a very rare disease in Libya

Epidemiological features Reservoir – Man Infective material – feces containing ova Source of infection – soil containing larvae Occupation – common in farmers

Hookworms in the intestine

Mouth of a Hookworm

Epidemiological factors Mode of transmission – larvae enter the body by penetrating the skin Human habits – open air defecation, walking bare feet (without shoes/sandal), using untreated sewage for irrigation leads to spread of disease

Hookworm larvae under the skin

Public health importance Hookworm lives in the intestine of humans and drink blood It leads to Iron deficiency anemia Iron deficiency anemia leads to poor health, inability to work, increased risk to infection, low birth weight etc.

Prevention and control Primary prevention Sanitary disposal of excreta Health education Proper treatment of sewage before using for irrigation Secondary prevention Early diagnosis and treatment