Impact of intestinal helminthes infections on stunting, wasting, normal biochemical and hematological values on school children in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Ethiopia, the second populous nation in Africa, has been grouped under low income countries. Stunting, underweight and wasting in school children in Ethiopia are very common. The aim of this research was to evaluate the nutritional status compared to WHO standards and impact of intestinal helminthes on normal growth, normal hematological and biochemical values in the school children in Azezo Elementary School in Gondar Town. Methods: Demographic data and information about possible risk factors were obtained using standard pre-tested questioners for all study subjects. WHO AnthroPlus software version 1.04 (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland) were used to classify school children as normal, stunted, wasted and obese after height and body weight measurements were obtained. The Kato Katz technique was performed to screen students for intestinalhelmenthinfections and calculate eggs per gram stool (epg). Haematological and biochemical normal values were obtained from hematology fully-automated cell counter (Mindray BC-3200) and Mindray BS-200E chemistry analyzer. Results: Atotal of 384 school children with age ranged from 7 to 15 years old were recruited in this study. Of the total school children analysed for body mass index and height for age Z scores (BAZ and HAZ scores), 103 (26.8%) were wasted (Z scores < -2SD) and 47 (12.2%) stunted (< -2SD). Gender showed no statistically significantly differences (p>0.05) for BAZ and HAZ. The prevalence of overall stunting in 7-10 age group was 0.7% (1/146) compared to 19.5% (46/236) in 11-15 age group (p=0.000). Intestinal helminthes infections were statistically significantly associated (p = 0.000) with hypo-gycocemia, hypo-proteinaemia and anemia compared with non-infected school children. The likelihood of anemia in intestinal helminth infected school children, when it was compared with uninfected was 148 times higher for both Ascarislumbericoides-Schistosomamansoni co-infection, 38 times for Hook worm, 20 times for Schistosomamansoni and 3 times for Ascarislumbericoidesmono-infection. Conclusion: Malnutrition and intestinal helminthes infections are serious problem in normal growth of the school children. Poverty associated malnutrition is the most important risk factor for stunting. Key Words: School children; Malnutrition; Intestinal Helminth infections; Nutritional status ; Gondar town