Deworming every 6 months is recommended for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years in communities with poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation (poor toilet facilities). This should be done even if there is no history of roundworms in the stool. Medication is usually given at the local primary care clinic or in schools. Deworming has been found to improve the learning capacity and growth of school children.
Mebendazole is the drug of choice. Albendazole is more expensive. The dose for deworming is the same as for treating roundworms. Both these drugs are highly effective for roundworms.
Regular deworming of young children is recommended in communities where roundworms are common.