Nutrition Status of Primary School Students in Two Rural Regions of Guinea-Bissau

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Nutritional Science
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Primary school children's nutritional status in Africa is under-researched compared to younger age groups.
• Guinea-Bissau, one of the world's poorest nations, was the focus of this nutritional assessment.
• Little attention has been given to the nutritional status of primary school children in Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess anthropometry, anemia, and vitamin A deficiency in primary schoolchildren in Guinea-Bissau.
• To evaluate the nutritional status of students involved in a school feeding program.
• To identify nutritional challenges in a vulnerable population within a low-income country.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 32 primary schools across Cacheu and Oio regions.
• Data collected included student age, gender, weight, height, hemoglobin, and retinol-binding protein concentrations.
• Nutritional indicators like stunting (HAZ) and thinness (BAZ) were calculated using WHO reference data.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of stunting (15.5%), thinness (13.2%), and anemia (42.0%) was observed in 4784 students.
• Stunting, thinness, and anemia were more prevalent in males, older students, and those from the Oio region.
• Vitamin A deficiency affected 21.5% of students, with no significant gender or regional differences.

Conclusions:

• Substantial rates of undernutrition (stunting, thinness, anemia, vitamin A deficiency) exist in primary schoolchildren in Guinea-Bissau.
• These nutritional deficiencies persist even within a school feeding program, particularly impacting males and older children.
• Findings underscore the necessity to evaluate and enhance nutrition programs for primary students, especially older ones.