| Summary: | Helminthiasis and nutritional status of school-age children were studied in an slum areas in Ujung Pandang municipality. Two primary schools, namely Galangan Kapal I and II, have been selected for this study. 503 childrens grade I -III which consist of 271 boys (53.9%) and 232 girls (46.1%) were taken from both schools. Fecal examination were quantitatively performed to look at degrees of helminth infections, which is ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm infection. Weight, height, and arm circumference were measured as indices of nutritional status. It was found that prevalence of ascariasis and trichuriasis were very high, 92.1% and 98.2% respectively. In addition, 90.2% of the children were infected with both Ascarias and Trichuris. Conversely, hook worm infection was very low (1.4%). Using international standard NCHS-WHO, it showed that most children were mild and moderate malnutrition in all indices of nutritional status. There was no significant association between helminthiasis and nutritional status in this cross-sectional study. Given high level of helminthiasis and malnutrition, though, efforts to reduce both prevalences are much needed.
Key Words: helminthiasis, nutritional status, school-age children, slum areas
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