Peer-reviewed article
Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Their Impact on Nutritional and Anaemia Status Among School-Aged Children in Some Schools in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State Nigeria
Maryam Yusuf, Adamu Isa, Esther Samuel Danjuma, Timothy Auta ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5This study looked at intestinal worm infections and how they relate to nutrition and anaemia in school-aged children in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. Nearly half of the 400 children tested had soil-transmitted worms, most commonly roundworm. Younger children and those who did not wash hands with soap after using the toilet were more likely to be infected. Many infected children were underweight, and though infected children tended to be more anaemic, this difference was not statistically significant. The authors call for combined efforts on worm treatment, nutrition support, iron supplementation, and improved water and sanitation.
Key points
- Overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths was 49.0% among the 400 children studied.
- Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common worm (50.5%), followed by hookworm (26.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (5.1%).
- Age group was significantly associated with infection (p = 0.009).
- Handwashing with soap after toilet use had a protective effect against infection (OR = 0.607, p = 0.017).
- 26.3% of children were underweight based on BMI-for-age, and infected children were more often anaemic, though not statistically significantly so.
Limitations
The cross-sectional design shows associations at one point in time only and cannot prove that worm infections caused the nutrition or anaemia differences observed.
Abstract
Malnutrition and anaemia among school-aged children, particularly in developing nations, are serious public health issues linked to soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). This study aimed to investigate STHs and their impact on the nutritional and anaemia status among school-aged children in some schools in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. A cross- sectional study involving 400 randomly selected school-aged children was conducted. All stool samples collected were examined for the presence of STHs using the formal-ether concentration technique. Anthropometric measurements were taken according to World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and haematocrit packed cell volume (PCV), respectively were used to determine the nutritional and anaemia condition of the sampled children. Questionnaire was administered to gather information on socio-demographic factors. The overall prevalence of STHs was 49.0% (196) in which three types of STHs were identified, Ascaris lumbricoides most dominant (50.5%) than hookworm (26.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (5.1%). A statistically significant association was observed between age group (χ² = 9.409, p = 0.009). Residing close to dumpsite, walking barefoot, and playing with sand, were not significantly associated with SHTs(p>0.05). However, washing hands with soap after toilet use was significantly associated with STHs(OR = 0.607, p = 0.017) provides a protective effect against STHs. The BMI for age shown that 26.3% were underweight and 2.8% overweight. Infected children were more anaemic though not statistically significant. Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases remains a public health concern among children and negatively affect children’s nutritional and anaemia status. Therefore, an integrated approach to STH management, nutrition, initiatives, iron supplementation and implementation of WASH are encouraged.