The impact of intestinal parasitic infections on the nutritional status of primary school children in Alexandria, Egypt.
In order to investigate the relationship between intestinal parasitism and nutritional status, stool specimens obtained from 1674 school children aged 6-13 years, enrolled in primary governmental schools in the Eastern zone of Alexandria, Egypt were examined for helminth and protozoan parasites. The findings were collated with anthropometric data (weight and height) on the same children. The prevalence of parasitic infections was found to be 31.5%. The most common infections were found to be with Giardia lamblia (15.4%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (10.2%). Children infected with both helminths and protozoa showed an increased but insignificant risk of underweight relative to those without infections. The risk of stunting was found among all types of parasites as compared to children with no parasites. Also there was a higher non significant risk of wasting among those with protozoal infection especially Giardia lamblia. Children infected with three species or more of intestinal parasitic infections were significantly underweight than non infected children (OR = 4.68, 95% confidence limit = 1.04-18.03). Using stepwise logistic regression analysis, number of parasites appeared to be the most effective variable of the nutritional status of children indicated by weight for age Z score, followed by education of the mother.
El Sahn
F F
FF
Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University.
Deghedi
B M
BM
Mahdy
N H
NH
El Sahn
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012574:Schools