The nutritional impacts of soil-transmitted helminths infections among Orang Asli schoolchildren in rural Malaysia

Abdulhamid Ahmed,Abdulelah H Al-Adhroey,Johari Surin,Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi,Init Ithoi,Awatif M Abdulsalam

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-5-119

Abdulhamid Ahmed, Abdulelah H Al-Adhroey + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-5-119

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Journal: Parasites & Vectors	Publication Date: Jun 15, 2012
Citations: 91	License type: CC BY 2.0

Affiliation: University of Malaya, Sana'a University

Abstract

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections, anaemia and malnutrition are major public health problems in school-age children in developing countries. This study was conducted on 289 Orang Asli (aboriginal) schoolchildren in order to assess the current prevalence and predictors of anaemia and malnutrition, as well as the nutritional impacts of STH infections among these children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was combined with a longitudinal follow-up three months after treatment with anthelminthic drugs. Blood samples were collected from the children to measure haemoglobin (Hb) level. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were also collected and the children were screened for STH.ResultsThe baseline findings revealed that the prevalence of anaemia, significant stunting, underweight and wasting among the children were 41.0%, 28.0%, 29.2% and 12.5%, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of trichuriasis, ascariasis and hookworm infections were 84.6%, 47.6% and 3.9%, respectively. Haemoglobin level was significantly lower among the moderate-to-heavy infected children compared to the negative-to-light infected children. Age <10years and moderate-to-heavy ascariasis were the predictors of anaemia. Stunting was associated with gender, age, moderate-to-heavy ascariasis and trichuriasis. Three months post-treatment assessment showed that the moderate-to-heavy infected children gained significant increment in their mean Hb level compared to the negative-to-light infected children (0.44 g/dL compared to 0.08 g/dL). However, no difference was found in the mean increments in growth indices between the groups.ConclusionSTH infections, anaemia and malnutrition are still prevalent and a matter of public health concern in Orang Asli communities in Malaysia. Sustainable deworming programme at school and community levels among these populations will help to improve their health and nutritional status.

Highlights

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections, anaemia and malnutrition are major public health problems in school-age children in developing countries
Conclusions meaningful achievements have been recorded all over Malaysia in terms of quality of life improvement throughout the years of independence, the Orang Asli population seems to be left behind by other races in the country such as the Malays, Chinese and Indians, probably due to their remoteness and the desire to stay in the jungles and away from other people
Previous reports findings have shown that the Orang Asli all over the country share similar socioeconomic, health and demographic characteristics

Summary

Introduction

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections, anaemia and malnutrition are major public health problems in school-age children in developing countries. Malnutrition and STH infections are prevalent throughout the developing nations of the world. They often occur synergistically in areas of low socioeconomic status, where they constitute a major public health problem especially among children of school age [4]. The burden of STH infections is associated with anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamins and folate. This leads to reduced work capacity [8], poor cognitive function [9] and pregnancy disorders [10]. The synergistic occurrence of helminthiasis, anaemia and malnutrition exert a negative effect on growth and development of the affected person [12]

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Conclusion