Impact of guinea worm disease

(In this graphic, a man with guinea worm tells his son that he must work in the fields instead of going to school.)

CONSIDERATIONS:

 

• When men have guinea worm, it is very difficult for them to work in the fields. The responsibility often goes to school age children who would have to miss school, or to women who would not be able to adequately care for the small children in the family, should they take on this work.

• When children have guinea worm, they are sometimes disabled for life or they die of tetanus. They often suffer poor nutrition as an indirect result of guinea worm disease in the family, and there is often a prolonged absence from school, that is difficult to make up.