Association between anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia, neglected parasitic infections and socioeconomic factors in rural children of West Malaysia.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Given that micronutrient deficiency, neglected intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and poor socioeconomic status are closely linked, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between IPIs and nutritional status of children living in remote and rural areas in West Malaysia. METHODS/FINDINGS: A total of 550 children participated, comprising 520 (94.5%) school children aged 7 to 12 years old, 30 (5.5%) young children aged 1 to 6 years old, 254 (46.2%) boys and 296 (53.8%) girls. Of the 550 children, 26.2% were anaemic, 54.9% iron deficient and 16.9% had iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). The overall prevalence of helminths was 76.5% comprising Trichuris trichiura (71.5%), Ascaris lumbricoides (41.6%) and hookworm infection (13.5%). It was observed that iron deficiency was significantly higher in girls (p?=?0.032) compared to boys. Univariate analysis demonstrated that low level of mother's education (OR?=?2.52; 95% CI?=?1.38-4.60; p?=?0.002), non working parents (OR?=?2.18; 95% CI?=?2.06-2.31; p?=?0.013), low household income (OR?=?2.02; 95% CI?=?1.14-3.59; p?=?0.015), T. trichiura (OR?=?2.15; 95% CI?=?1.21-3.81; p?=?0.008) and A. lumbricoides infections (OR?=?1.63; 95% CI?=?1.04-2.55; p?=?0.032) were significantly associated with the high prevalence of IDA. Multivariate analysis confirmed that low level of mother's education (OR?=?1.48; 95 CI%?=?1.33-2.58; p<0.001) was a significant predictor for IDA in these children. CONCLUSION: It is crucial that a comprehensive primary health care programme for these communities that includes periodic de-worming, nutrition supplement, improved household economy, education, sanitation status and personal hygiene are taken into consideration to improve the nutritional status of these children.
SUBMITTER: Ngui R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3295806 | biostudies-literature | 2012
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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