title: Infection by Intestinal Parasites, Stunting and Anemia in School-Aged Children from Southern Angola.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal parasites are responsible for morbidity in children worldwide, especially in low income countries. In the present study we determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and explore its association with anemia and stunting in school-aged children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2010 enrolling 328 children attending the primary school in Lubango, the second largest city after the capital Luanda. Stool samples were collected for parasite detection through microscopy and molecular identification of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. Stunting was assessed using the z-scores of height for age and hemoglobin concentration was determined using a portable hemoglobin analyzing system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The global prevalence of pathogenic intestinal parasites was 44.2%, the most common being Ascaris lumbricoides (22.0%), Giardia lamblia (20.1%) and Hymenolepis nana (8.8%). Molecular detection revealed that 13.1% of the children carried E. dispar and 0.3% were infected with E. histolytica. The prevalence of stunting (mild to severe) was 41.5%. Stunting was more frequent in older children (p = 0.006, OR = 1.886), while anemia was more frequent in younger children (p = 0.005, OR = 2.210). The prevalence of anemia was 21.6%, and we found a significant association with infection by H. nana (p = 0.031, OR = 2.449).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is one of the few published studies reporting intestinal parasites infection, nutritional status and anemia in children from Angola. Furthermore, the present work highlights the importance of regular intestinal parasites screening in children.
authors.affiliation: Clínica Girassol, Lubango, Angola.
authors.forename: Dinamene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Unidade de Clínica Tropical, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Filipa Santana
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Unidade de Clínica Tropical, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Atouguia
authors.affiliation: Ministério da Saúde, Luanda, Angola.
authors.forename: Filomeno
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fortes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.affiliation: Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Unidade de Clínica Tropical, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sónia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Centeno-Lima
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications*; D000810:Angola / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*