Age-related factors influencing the occurrence of undernutrition in northeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundUndernutrition is a major public health problem on the globe particularly in the developing regions. The objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition in different age groups and examine the relationship of the disease to parasitic and socioeconomic factors among communities in Harbu Town, northeastern Ethiopia.MethodsStool samples of the study participants were examined for intestinal helminth infections using the Kato-Katz method. Blood specimens were diagnosed for Plasmodium infection using CareStartTM Malaria Pf/Pv Combo test. The blood type was determined from blood samples using antisera A and antisera B. In addition, the height and weight of the study participants was measured and information about their socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics was collected.ResultsOut of 484 individuals examined, 31.8% were undernourished and 32.0% were infected with intestinal helminths. The odds of undernutrition significantly decreased with an increase in the age of individuals. The prevalence of undernutrition in adults was significantly higher in males than in females and in those who had latrines than in those who did not have the facility. The odds of undernutrition in the 5 to 19 years age group was significantly higher in those who did not wash their hands before eating than in those who did. The prevalence of undernutrition in children younger than five years was significantly lower in those whose families were educated and had less than 5 family size compared to those with illiterate families and family size of greater than 5, respectively. However, the prevalence of undernutrition was similar in individuals who were infected and not infected with intestinal helminths. The intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infection was significantly higher among individuals of blood type A compared to those of type O.ConclusionsPrevalence of undernutrition was higher in children than in adults and the association of sex and socioeconomic factors with undernutrition showed variation with age. However, helminth infection was not related with undernutrition in all age groups.

Intestinal parasites among rural school children in southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional multilevel and zero-inflated regression model

“…Despite a well-documented link between soil-transmitted helminth infections and undernutrition (58, 59), the evidence regarding this association varies. Some studies have reported the same risk of wasting and stunting among infected and non-infected children (11, 60, 61). In agreement with other studies (62, 63), our study revealed higher rates of intestinal parasites among wasted children.…”

The relationship between helminth infections and low haemoglobin levels in Ethiopian children with blood type A

“…This supports the notion that A. lumbricoides may have molecules that resemble the antigen of blood type A, or that the parasite may adsorb blood type A antigens. Previous studies have also documented high prevalence or intensity of S. mansoni infection in children with blood type A (Ndamba et al, 1997;Degarege et al, 2015). This will help the parasites to survive and multiply easily within the host, causing severe intestinal damage and high blood loss.…”

Undernutrition among children under 5 years of age in Yemen: Role of adequate childcare provided by adults under conditions of food insecurity

“…Children whose families were educated and consisted of fewer than five family members had significantly lower odds of undernutrition compared with peers in illiterate families and family sizes of more than five members, respectively 26 ) . Independent of household wealth, a lower paternal and maternal education level was also associated with child stunting 27 ) .…”