title: Giardia duodenalis infection and anthropometric status in preschoolers in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil.
abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate the association between Giardia duodenalis infection and anthropometric deficits, as measured by weight-for-age and height-for-age. This cross-sectional study included 629 children from 12 to 48 months of age, selected from 30 geographic areas in the city of Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. Poisson regression and linear regression were used for the multivariate statistical analyses. G. duodenalis was diagnosed in 13.5% of the children. The children's breastfeeding duration and living conditions (garbage collection and paved streets or sidewalks) modified the effect of G. duodenalis infection on anthropometric status. Among infected children, there were statistically significant associations between weight deficit and shorter breastfeeding (PR=2.22; 95%CI: 1.56-3.14) and inadequate paving of streets and sidewalks (PR=2.00; 95%CI: 1.37-2.92), while height deficit was associated with deficient public garbage collection (PR=2.21; 95%CI: 1.31-2.51). In the linear regression, the association with the anthropometric indicators remained positive and statistically significant. The child's unhealthy living environment aggravated the negative effect of G. duodenalis infection on anthropometric status, and breastfeeding was a protective factor in the outcome.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. sheilaalvim@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sheila Maria Alvim
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: Ana Marlúcia Oliveira
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Assis
authors.forename: Matildes da Silva
authors.initials: Mda S
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: Agostino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strina
authors.forename: Lenaldo Azevedo dos
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Sandra Rêgo de
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Jesus
authors.forename: Maurício Lima
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Barreto
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005735:Garbage; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population