SOIL-TRANSMITTED HEMINTHIASIS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SCHOOL-AGE-CHILDREN IN SELETED PRIMARY SCHOOLS AT OBAFEMI/OWODE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE.

Abstract

Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) and malnutrition are major public health problems among school-age children in developing countries. Soil-transmitted helminths are a group of parasitic intestinal nematodes that cause infections in humans. These infections are endemic in developing tropical countries and are said to impact negatively on children's health states. This study was therefore designed to assess the current prevalence of STH infections and malnutrition among school-age children, as well as determine possible associations between STH infection and nutritional status of school-age children. An analytical cross sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to January, 2015. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 460 apparently healthy children from eleven primary schools at Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun state. Stool samples were collected from the children, and examined microscopically for eggs of soil transmitted helminths following preparation using Kato -Katz technique. A close ended interviewer administered questionnaire was used for collection of data on demography, socio-economics, household characteristics, hygiene habits as well as dietary intake. Dietary assessment was done using the 24 hour dietary recall method. Anthropometric measurements, height and weight were measured, and used to obtain Z-scores of the malnutrition indices height-for- age and Body-Mass-Index-for-age using WHO Anthroplus. These indices were compared with the 2007 WHO reference values to diagnose stunting (height-for-age <-2SD) and wasting (BMJ-for-age <-2SD). Proportions, chi-square test of significance and regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. The mean age of the study participants was 10.35 ± 2.39 years. Three different helminthes observed included Ascaris lumbricoides (28.7%), Hookworm (0.7%) and Trichuris trichiura (0. 7%). Multiple infections were however observed in some individuals (3.0%). Of the 460 stool samples examined, 134 were infected giving a prevalence of 29.1%. Most infections were light (66.0%) to moderate (44.0%) with no heavy infections seen. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most encountered parasite in the study. Stunting was observed in 25% of children and it was higher among those infected with STH. Also, 19.3% of children were thin. No significant direct associations were found for Soil-transmitted Helminth infection status with HAZ and BAZ values but a significant negative association were found between soil-transmitted helminths infections and mean height-for-age 2-score values of infected and non-infected children. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis and malnutrition remain public health concerns m Nigerian school-age children due largely to a lack of concerted effort from stakeholders towards its eradication. The role of STH infections in undermining children's nutritional status still needs to be further investigated.