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Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Intestinal Helminthiasis: Risk factors and relationship with Nutritional status and Anaemia among Institutionalised
M O Njoku1, K K Iloh2, C O Okike3
1Department of Paediatrics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi, State, Nigeria.
Insights
Good handwashing practices by caregivers significantly reduced intestinal helminthiasis in institutionalized children. However, helminth infections were not linked to malnutrition or anemia in this study population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Intestinal helminthiasis is common in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.
- Heavy worm infections can impair nutritional status and worsen anemia in children, particularly those in orphanages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis.
- To examine the relationship between helminth infections, nutritional status, and anemia in institutionalized children in South-East Nigeria.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 198 children from orphanages in three Nigerian states.
- Stool analysis using Kato-Katz and Ether concentration techniques.
- Assessment of packed cell volume and anthropometric indices.
Main Results:
- Intestinal helminthiasis prevalence was 2.5%, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common parasite.
- A significant association was found between helminth infestation and caregiver handwashing practices (p=0.01).
- No helminth-infested child presented with malnutrition, and only one had moderate anemia.
Conclusions:
- Promoting good caregiver handwashing practices is crucial for reducing intestinal parasite prevalence.
- No correlation was observed between helminth infections and nutritional status or anemia in this cohort of institutionalized children.
Background:
Intestinal helminthiasis occurs in sub-optimal living conditions with poor hygiene practices and is more prevalent in rural, suburban and institutionalized centres. Heavy helminthic burden negatively affects the nutritional status and the severity of anaemia among children living in orphanages.
Aim:
To determine the risk factors and relationship of intestinal helminthiasis with nutritional status and anaemia among institutionalized children in three states of South-East Nigeria.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted over seven months involving 198 children recruited from orphanages in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states. Their stool samples were analyzed using the Kato-Katz and Ether concentration techniques, and packed cell volume and anthropometric indices were documented. Data were analyzed.
Results:
Of the 198 children, 109 (55.1%) were females with a median age of 2.5 years and interquartile range (3 months - 17 years). The prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 2.5%. Among the children that had intestinal helminthiasis, 4 (80%) had mono-parasitism with Ascaris lumbricoides, while 1 (20%) had mixed infestation of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. There was a significant association (p=0.01) between being infested with intestinal helminthiasis and caregiver handwashing practices. The anthropometric indices demonstrated that 5.6%, 6.6% and 13.1% of the children were underweight, wasted and stunted respectively. No helminth-infested child had malnutrition and only 1 (20%) infested child had moderate anaemia.
Conclusion:
Caregivers' good handwashing practice was associated with reduced prevalence of intestinal infestations and should be encouraged. There was no relationship found between the presence of helminthic infestations and nutritional status or anaemia among the institutionalised children.
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