PLoS ONE (Jan 2020)

Influence of malaria, soil-transmitted helminths and malnutrition on haemoglobin level among school-aged children in Muyuka, Southwest Cameroon: A cross-sectional study on outcomes.

  • Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele,
  • Ayeah Joy Nkain,
  • Teh Rene Ning,
  • Judith Kuoh Anchang-Kimbi,
  • Helen Kuokuo Kimbi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230882
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 3
p. e0230882

Abstract

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BackgroundThe health of school-aged children (SAC) is often compromised by malaria parasitaemia (MP), soil-transmitted helminths (STH), and malnutrition in the tropics. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and influence of MP, STH and malnutrition on haemoglobin (Hb) levels as well as identify its predictors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in SAC (4-14 years) in Owe, Mpundu and Meanja villages in Muyuka, Southwest Cameroon. Hb concentration was measured using a URIT-12 Hb meter while MP and STH were determined by Giemsa staining of blood films and Kato-Katz technique respectively. Anthropometric measures (weight, height and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC)) of malnutrition (z-scores of ResultsThe prevalence of MP, STH, anaemia and malnutrition in the 401 SAC examined were 33.9%, 2.2%, 75.3% and 24.4% respectively. The prevalence of MP varied significantly with locality (P = 0.031). Stunting occurred commonly (23.7%) and was significantly higher in males (28.6%), children 11-14 years old (38.3%) and those of Meanja locality (47.4%) than their counterparts. Significantly higher prevalence of anaemia was observed in children of Meanja (89.5%) and those both MP positive and malnourished (86.2%). Moderate anaemia occurred commonly (60.6%) and children ≤6 years old had significantly (P = 0.034) higher prevalence (75.0%). Mean Hb level varied significantly (P = 0.004) with age and those ≤6 years old infected with MP had significantly (P = 0.022) lower values. Significant predictors of Hb levels were the MUAC (P 11g/dL) and the absence of MP, STH and malnutrition, 13.7% of the SAC were considered as healthy.ConclusionsThe health of a majority of SAC is compromised by malaria, helminthiasis, malnutrition and other conditions not investigated. Anaemia is of major public health concern hence, intervention programmes that integrate malaria control with improvement of educational levels especially on proper nutrition and health care practices are desirable.