Alarm over rise in worm infestation cases among children in Vihiga

Health officials warn that the situation is undermining efforts to eliminate intestinal worm infections, with environmental sanitation challenges persisting across the county. In many rural homes, children are left vulnerable when parents leave in search of daily income, sometimes going without food and resorting to eating unsafe materials.

Residents of Luhulu village in Itando, Sabatia Sub-county, say economic hardship is forcing parents to leave young children unattended during the day. In such cases, lack of food and supervision has been linked to dangerous eating habits that increase the risk of illness.

One resident, James Elegwa Kidaha, recounted how his three-year-old son narrowly survived after his stomach swelled for two weeks. The family initially suspected poisoning, but medical tests later confirmed a severe worm infestation.

Field health officer Julia Kadenyi says poverty remains the biggest barrier to household hygiene, noting that many families are unable to prioritize sanitation when struggling to meet basic needs such as food. She says more investment in livelihoods is needed to improve health outcomes at the community level.

The challenge is also evident in Endeli village, where residents say the cost of constructing modern toilets is beyond the reach of many households. Local resident Phelister Asena says improved hygiene practices could significantly reduce worm infections, even in low-income settings.

The Vihiga County Government says it is addressing the problem through hygiene education and public health interventions. According to the Director of Public Health, Dr. Martin Osotsi, the county has allocated 143 million shillings toward sanitation and hygiene promotion programs.

However, residents and health officials caution that without tackling poverty, improving access to nutrition, and expanding clean water supply, efforts to eliminate worm infections in Vihiga’s rural communities are likely to remain a major challenge.