Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia
Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminth infections and malnutrition are major health problems of school-age children in developing countries. Malnutrition and soil-transmitted helminth infections often co-exist with synergetic consequences. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the preva...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2020-09-01
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| Series: | SAGE Open Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312120954696 |
| _version_ | 1811295589315379200 |
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| author | Zeleke Mekonnen Derartu Hassen Serkadis Debalke Abebaw Tiruneh Yaregal Asres Legese Chelkeba Endalew Zemene Tefera Belachew |
| author_facet | Zeleke Mekonnen Derartu Hassen Serkadis Debalke Abebaw Tiruneh Yaregal Asres Legese Chelkeba Endalew Zemene Tefera Belachew |
| author_sort | Zeleke Mekonnen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminth infections and malnutrition are major health problems of school-age children in developing countries. Malnutrition and soil-transmitted helminth infections often co-exist with synergetic consequences. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths and its association with nutritional status of school-age children. Methods: School-based cross-sectional study was carried out from April to May 2014 among 404 elementary school-age children in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia. Data on background characteristics were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were taken according to World Health Organization standard. Fresh single stool sample was collected from each study participant and examined using direct wet mount and McMaster techniques. Anthropometric indices were generated using WHO AnthroPlus software. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to isolate independent predictors of intestinal parasitic infection and nutritional status using STATA-MP software. All tests were two-sided and P < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites and soil-transmitted helminths were 68.6% (n = 277) and 55.0% (n = 222), respectively. A total of eight species of intestinal parasites were identified in this study, Trichuris trichiura being the most common parasite identified followed by Ascaris lumbricoides . Study participants who had a habit of open defecation were two times more likely to be infected with soil-transmitted helminths (adjusted odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.0–3.4). The overall prevalence of stunting and thinness were 21.0% (n = 85) and 6.9% (n = 28), respectively. The odds of stunting was significantly high (adjusted odds ratio = 4.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.7–9.7) among children who had fathers working as daily labourers and children with personal dietary diversity score of ⩽3 (adjusted odds ratio = 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–8.0). T. trichiura infection (adjusted odds ratio = 9.4, 95% confidence interval: 2.0–44.8) was identified as an independent predictor of stunting among school-age children. Conclusion: Both the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and stunting are high among school-age children in Jimma Town. Although there was no statistically significant association between the STHs, in general, T. trichiura was reported as predictor of stunting. The results imply the need for strengthening strategies for reduction of parasitic infection to curb the pervasively high prevalence of stunting. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T05:35:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5912d1a0ca134ec29a5fbf16a30c752a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-3121 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T05:35:43Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-5912d1a0ca134ec29a5fbf16a30c752a2022-12-22T03:00:18ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open Medicine2050-31212020-09-01810.1177/2050312120954696Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in Jimma Town, Southwestern EthiopiaZeleke Mekonnen0Derartu Hassen1Serkadis Debalke2Abebaw Tiruneh3Yaregal Asres4Legese Chelkeba5Endalew Zemene6Tefera Belachew7School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaInternational Clinical Laboratory PLC, Jimma, EthiopiaSchool of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaSchool of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaSchool of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaSchool of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaIntroduction: Soil-transmitted helminth infections and malnutrition are major health problems of school-age children in developing countries. Malnutrition and soil-transmitted helminth infections often co-exist with synergetic consequences. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths and its association with nutritional status of school-age children. Methods: School-based cross-sectional study was carried out from April to May 2014 among 404 elementary school-age children in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia. Data on background characteristics were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were taken according to World Health Organization standard. Fresh single stool sample was collected from each study participant and examined using direct wet mount and McMaster techniques. Anthropometric indices were generated using WHO AnthroPlus software. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to isolate independent predictors of intestinal parasitic infection and nutritional status using STATA-MP software. All tests were two-sided and P < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites and soil-transmitted helminths were 68.6% (n = 277) and 55.0% (n = 222), respectively. A total of eight species of intestinal parasites were identified in this study, Trichuris trichiura being the most common parasite identified followed by Ascaris lumbricoides . Study participants who had a habit of open defecation were two times more likely to be infected with soil-transmitted helminths (adjusted odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.0–3.4). The overall prevalence of stunting and thinness were 21.0% (n = 85) and 6.9% (n = 28), respectively. The odds of stunting was significantly high (adjusted odds ratio = 4.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.7–9.7) among children who had fathers working as daily labourers and children with personal dietary diversity score of ⩽3 (adjusted odds ratio = 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–8.0). T. trichiura infection (adjusted odds ratio = 9.4, 95% confidence interval: 2.0–44.8) was identified as an independent predictor of stunting among school-age children. Conclusion: Both the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and stunting are high among school-age children in Jimma Town. Although there was no statistically significant association between the STHs, in general, T. trichiura was reported as predictor of stunting. The results imply the need for strengthening strategies for reduction of parasitic infection to curb the pervasively high prevalence of stunting.https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312120954696 |
| spellingShingle | Zeleke Mekonnen Derartu Hassen Serkadis Debalke Abebaw Tiruneh Yaregal Asres Legese Chelkeba Endalew Zemene Tefera Belachew Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia SAGE Open Medicine |
| title | Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_full | Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_short | Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in Jimma Town, Southwestern Ethiopia |
| title_sort | soil transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status of school children in government elementary schools in jimma town southwestern ethiopia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312120954696 |
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