Association between intestinal parasitoses and nutritional status in 3-8-year-old children in northeast Thailand

To assess the prevalence and species of intestinal parasitoses and to evaluate the effects of parasitic infections on the nutritional health of northeastern Thai children a survey was carried out among 343 urban and rural 3-8-year-olds in Sakon Nakhon province. Approximately 57% suffered from single or multiple helminthiasis (ancylostomiasis (AD), ascariasis (AL), opisthorchiasis (OV) and/or strongyloidiasis (SS)) and/or giardiasis (GL). In rural areas the prevalence of AD and SS was higher than in urban areas (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05 respectively). OV was found more frequently among 6-8-year olds (18%) than among 3-5-year olds (5%); among 3-5-year olds the prevalence of GL was higher than among 6-8-year olds (17 vs 8%). Multiple infections were observed in 13% of the children. Infected children showed lower daily intakes of protein, iron and riboflavin as well as lower menas for haemoglobin, haematocrit, serum ferritin, and Z-score height for age than non-infected children. The prevalence of stunted children was lower among non-infected children (32%) than among infected children (53%), and children with AL (49%), SS (55%), and GL (45%). Anaemia was found more frequently among the infected children (59%) and GL-children (61%) than among non-infected children (42%). Inadequate daily intake of energy and nutrients of most of the children, in combination with parasitic infections, still common in rural northeast Thailand, was shown to result in a serious public health problem.