Intestinal Parasitic Infection and Body Mass Index among School Children in Oshodi Lagos Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are still major public health problems in the world, particularly in developing countries. These parasitic infections have adverse effect on the health status of individuals particularly children. Objective: The study is designed to determine the effect of nutritional status on the prevalence of intestinal parasites among the school children in Oshodi, Lagos State Nigeria between June and August 2014. Methods: A total of consented 386 from seven public primary schools in Oshodi, 169 (43.8%) boys and 217 (56.2%) girls school children provided stool samples, their height and weight measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI) for the evaluation of the nutritional status of children and questionnaire were given to be completed. Their ages were between 3-14 years. Stool samples collected were examined using direct wet mount and the formal ether concentration technique. The BMI was classified based on children with normal weight and those that are under weight. Results: Three species of intestinal parasitic infections were identified with overall prevalence of 58.3%. The predominant parasites were Entamoeba histolytica (35.8%), Entamoeba coli (22.0%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (5.1%). The prevalence among sex is 25.1% in males and 33.2 % in females. The children with normal weight were 8.8%, while underweight were 91.2%. The relationship between infectivity and BMI was determined as normal weight 1.3%, P= 0.654 and under weight 57% P= 0.845, (P> 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendations: This study has shown that intestinal parasitic infections are prevalent and have adverse effect on nutritional status of children in Oshodi, and there is need for improved nutritional, personal and environmental hygiene of these children so as to reduce the infection rate.

Intestinal parasitic infection among rural schoolchildren in Taiz, Yemen: School-based assessment of the prevalence and associated risk factors

“…Oppositely, hookworms and S. stercoralis were not found among schoolchildren in the current study. This is similar to reports from previous studies (Al-Qobati et al, 2012; bin Mohanna et al, 2014 ; MB, 2017 ; Singh Khadka et al, 2019 ; Sitotaw et al, 2020 ). However, hookworms and S. stercoralis have low prevalence rates in Ibb among schoolchildren, reporting 1.2 % and 0.8 % prevalence rates, respectively ( Alsubaie et al, 2016 ).…”

Impact of Soil-Transmitted Helminthes (STHs) on nutritional and anemia status in school-aged children in Batagarawa Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria

“…This could a result of the combine effects of the parasites isolated (Naing et al, 2013). Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between STH infections and nutritional status (Ajayi et al, 2017). Children with mixed or moderate to heavy STH infections frequently experience more severe effects than single-specie or light infection (Mascarini-Serra, 2011).…”

“…For assessing the nutritional status of populations, especially children in underdeveloped nations, anthropometry has evolved into a helpful instrument. Similarly, children's nutritional state is the best gauge of their overall well-being (Ajayi et al, 2017). Nigeria remained the African country with the highest burden and endemicity of intestinal helminthiasis, with children residing primarily in rural and semi urban areas constituting a greater percentage (Anunobi et al, 2019).…”

Status of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Among Adolescents in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Future Directions After a Decade of Ongoing Mass Administration of Medicines

“…Additionally, children born to mothers infected with these helminths during pregnancy are at elevated risk of infection during their early years [6]. Practices such as geophagy, open defecation, the use of leaves and paper for hygiene, nail-biting, and walking barefoot further contribute to the persistently high prevalence of STH infections [7][8][9]. Sub-Saharan African nations, notably Nigeria, bear the brunt of STH infections, with significant disparities across regions.…”