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Parasitological and nutritional situation of school children in the Sukaraja district, West Java, Indonesia
K Pegelow1, R Gross, K Pietrzik
1SEAMEO-TROPMED Regional Center for Community Nutrition, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Insights
A parasitological survey in Indonesian schoolchildren found high rates of soil-transmitted nematode infections, particularly Trichuris trichiura (76%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (44%). Nutritional status, including anemia and stunting, varied significantly between schools, but infection intensity did not correlate with these indicators.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and protozoan infections are significant global health issues, particularly in school-aged children in low-resource settings.
- Nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia and stunting, are common comorbidities in children infected with intestinal parasites.
- Understanding the prevalence and intensity of these infections is crucial for developing effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections (helminths and protozoa) in schoolchildren in Sukaraja, West Java, Indonesia.
- To assess the nutritional status of the participating children, including anemia and stunting.
- To investigate potential associations between parasitic infections and nutritional indicators.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted in December 1995 involving 404 schoolchildren aged 8-10 years from ten rural schools.
- Fecal samples (n=348) were analyzed using modified Kato-Katz thick smear techniques for helminth and protozoan detection.
- Blood samples (n=365) were tested for hemoglobin concentration, and anthropometric measurements were taken to assess nutritional status.
Main Results:
- Nine protozoan and four nematode species were detected; no trematodes were found. Soil-transmitted nematodes predominated, with Trichuris trichiura (76%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (44%) being most prevalent.
- Blastocystis hominis was the most common protozoan (60%). Significant school-to-school variations in parasite prevalence and intensity were observed, likely due to socioeconomic and environmental factors.
- Anemia prevalence was 13%, and stunting prevalence was 51%. While nutritional indicators varied significantly between schools, the intensity of geohelminth infections could not be directly associated with these nutritional outcomes.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and Blastocystis hominis in Indonesian schoolchildren highlights the need for targeted interventions.
- Variations in infection rates and nutritional status across schools suggest the influence of local environmental and socioeconomic conditions.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay of factors influencing child nutrition beyond moderate to heavy worm burdens.
Abstract:
A parasitological survey of children aged 8 to 10 years from ten schools located in the rural district Sukaraja, West Java, Indonesia was conducted in December 1995. A total of 348 fecal samples were examined by using modified Kato-Katz thick smear techniques, 365 blood samples for the measurement of hemoglobin concentration, and anthropometric data were obtained from 404 participants. Four nematode (hookworm taken as one species), two cestode and nine protozoan species were detected, but no trematode infection was observed. Among helminths, soil-transmitted nematode infections were predominant, Trichuris trichiura with a prevalence of 76% being the most common infection, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (44%). Hookworm and Enterobius vermicularis were found in 9% and 3% of the children examined, respectively. Among protozoa, Blastocystis hominis was by far the most common species, detected in 60% of volunteers cases. For the helminths A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm, school to school differences in parasite prevalence and infection intensity were observed; these were probably due to different socioeconomic and sanitary-environmental conditions. Intensity of Ascaris and hookworm infection tended to be highly over-dispersed; 85% of the worms identified were harbored by 15% and 7% of the children, respectively. Nutritional status was characterized by an average anemia rate of 13% and a prevalence of 51% stunting. All nutritional indicators differed significantly from school to school. Intensity of geohelminths infection could not be associated to the observed nutritional indicators. Thus, there must be additional factors contributing to the studied nutritional indicators of the school children which overlay a possible influence of moderate to heavy worm burden.