A community study of parasites, nutritional status and housing in young Jamaican children - abstract

ABSTRACT

Parasitic infections may contribute to gastoenteritis and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) both important problems among young Caribbean children. We conducted an epidemiological study of the prevalence of parasitic infestation and its association with the environment and nutritional status of preschool age children in a poor Kingston neighbourhood. The sample comprised all the 145 children (6 -36 months old) in a defined area. There were equal numbers of boys and girls and in each of 5 age groups (6 - 11, 12 - 17, 18 -23, 24 -29, 30 -36 months). Single stool specimens were examined for helminth ova and protozoan cysts using the formolether method, with iodine staining for light microscopy. The children's weights and heights were measured and their guardians were interviewed about their housing, sanitation and social background. Thirty-four per cent of the children were infested with 1 - 5 organisms Trichuris, 21 percent, Ascaris, 18 percent, with generally low - moderate loads (< 5,000 ova/500 mg stool). Giardia occurred in 12.6 percent with very few other protozoans (E. coli, 4.2 percent, C.mesnili, 2.1 percent and E. nana, 0.7 percent). The peak prevalence (70 percent) was among 30-36 month-olds, age being significantly positively associated with the presence of parasites (p 0.001). The infested children had significantly poorer sanitation and water facilities (p<0.05) and their parents had a lower educational level (p<0.05) than the non-infested. Sixty-one (42.9 percent) children had some degree of undernutrition with 13(9.1 percent)moderately - severly malnourished. Single stool specimens probably underestimated the true point prevalence and load of parasitic infestations. There was a significant positive association between nutritional status and the presence of parasites in this study, However, undernutrition occurred most often among young toddlers (12 - 17 months) and parasitic infestation among 30 - 36 month-olds. This suggests that parasitic infestation did not play an important role in the aetiology of PEM in this community (AU)