A health and nutritional profile of rural school children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Ann Trop Paediatr
; 21(1): 50-8, 2001 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11284248
ABSTRACT
A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken to measure anthropometric indices, micronutrient status and prevalence of parasite infections in 579 rural South African primary school children. Eleven schools were selected randomly from a Magisterial District in southern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). In each school, all pupils aged between 8 and 10 years were selected. The following outcome measures were obtained anthropometric--height for age, weight for age and body mass index; micronutrient status--anaemia, serum ferritin and vitamin A; and prevalence of parasite infections--Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Schistosoma haematobium. The observed prevalences were stunting 7.3%, underweight for age 0.7%, and obesity 3.1%; anaemia 16.5% (Hb < 12 g/dl), vitamin A deficiency 34.7% (serum retinol < 20 micrograms/dl) and 28.1% with reduced serum ferritin (< 12 ng/ml); Trichuris trichiura 53.9%, Ascaris lumbricoides 27.3% and Schistosoma haematobium 24.5%. We conclude that micronutrient deficiency, parasitic infestations and stunting remain significant problems among school-aged children in South Africa. Micronutrient supplementation and de-worming provide opportunities for school-based health promotion and primary health care interventions, and might produce significant health and educational benefits.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Enfermedades Parasitarias
/
Países en Desarrollo
/
Trastornos del Crecimiento
/
Anemia
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Límite:
Animals
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann Trop Paediatr
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Sudáfrica