Influence of malaria, soil-transmitted helminths and malnutrition on haemoglobin level among school-aged children in Muyuka, Southwest Cameroon: A cross-sectional study on outcomes
| Autor: | Helen Kuokuo Kimbi, Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele, Judith K. Anchang-Kimbi, Ayeah Joy Nkain, Teh Rene Ning |
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| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Male
Cross-sectional study Social Sciences Hemoglobins Soil Families Sociology Health care Medicine and Health Sciences Cameroon Child Children Protozoans Multidisciplinary Schools Malarial Parasites Eukaryota Anemia Hematology Helminth Infections Child Preschool Medicine Female Research Article Neglected Tropical Diseases medicine.medical_specialty Adolescent Science Helminthiasis Education Environmental health Helminths parasitic diseases medicine Parasitic Diseases Animals Humans Nutrition business.industry Public health Malnutrition Organisms Biology and Life Sciences Anthropometry medicine.disease Tropical Diseases Parasitic Protozoans Malaria Cross-Sectional Studies Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases Age Groups People and Places Population Groupings business |
| Zdroj: | PLoS ONE PLoS ONE, Vol 15, Iss 3, p e0230882 (2020) |
| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| Popis: | BackgroundThe health of school-aged children (SAC) is often compromised by malaria parasitaemia (MP), soil-transmitted helminths (STH), and malnutrition in the tropics. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and influence of MP, STH and malnutrition on haemoglobin (Hb) levels as well as identify its predictors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in SAC (4-14 years) in Owe, Mpundu and Meanja villages in Muyuka, Southwest Cameroon. Hb concentration was measured using a URIT-12 Hb meter while MP and STH were determined by Giemsa staining of blood films and Kato-Katz technique respectively. Anthropometric measures (weight, height and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC)) of malnutrition (z-scores of ResultsThe prevalence of MP, STH, anaemia and malnutrition in the 401 SAC examined were 33.9%, 2.2%, 75.3% and 24.4% respectively. The prevalence of MP varied significantly with locality (P = 0.031). Stunting occurred commonly (23.7%) and was significantly higher in males (28.6%), children 11-14 years old (38.3%) and those of Meanja locality (47.4%) than their counterparts. Significantly higher prevalence of anaemia was observed in children of Meanja (89.5%) and those both MP positive and malnourished (86.2%). Moderate anaemia occurred commonly (60.6%) and children ≤6 years old had significantly (P = 0.034) higher prevalence (75.0%). Mean Hb level varied significantly (P = 0.004) with age and those ≤6 years old infected with MP had significantly (P = 0.022) lower values. Significant predictors of Hb levels were the MUAC (P 11g/dL) and the absence of MP, STH and malnutrition, 13.7% of the SAC were considered as healthy.ConclusionsThe health of a majority of SAC is compromised by malaria, helminthiasis, malnutrition and other conditions not investigated. Anaemia is of major public health concern hence, intervention programmes that integrate malaria control with improvement of educational levels especially on proper nutrition and health care practices are desirable. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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