Selected micronutrient status of school-aged children at risk of Schistosoma haematobium infection in suburban communities of Nigeria
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Selected micronutrient status of school-aged children at risk of Schistosoma haematobium infection in suburban communities of Nigeria | |
| Creator | Olerimi, Samson E. Ekhoye, Ehitare I. Enaiho, Oriasotie S. Olerimi, Alexander | |
| Description | Background: The parasite Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis, a chronic infectious disease that occurs mainly among school-age children.Objective: The prevalence of S. haematobium infection and level of intensity relative to age, gender and status of selected serum micronutrients among school-age children were investigated in suburban communities in Bekwarra, Nigeria.Methods: This cross-sectional school-based study randomly recruited 353 children aged between 4 and 16 years from five elementary schools between June 2019 and December 2019. We gathered socio-demographic data about each child using a semi-structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for micronutrient analysis and urine samples were collected for assessment of S. haematobium infection.Results: A total of 57 (16.15%) school-age children were infected with S. haematobium. Girls (n = 34; 9.63%) were more frequently infected than boys (n = 23; 6.52%). Infection was most frequent among children aged 8–11 years (n = 32; 23.19%) and was significantly (p 0.001) associated with age and gender. Serum levels of iron, calcium, copper and zinc among infected children were significantly lower than those of non-infected children. Intensity of infection was negatively associated with iron (r = −0.21), calcium (r = −0.24), copper (r = −0.61; p 0.001) and zinc (r = −0.41; p 0.002).Conclusion: This study showed that S. haematobium infection adversely impacted the micronutrient status of school-age children in suburban Nigeria. Measures to lower the prevalence of schistosomiasis among school-age children, including efficient drug distribution, education campaigns and community engagement, are necessary.What this study adds: This research emphasises the significance of implementing infection prevention and control interventions to mitigate the transmission and prevalence of schistosomiasis among school age children. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2023-05-31 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2034 | |
| Source | African Journal of Laboratory Medicine; Vol 12, No 1 (2023); 6 pages 2225-2010 2225-2002 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/2034/2684
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/2034/2685
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/2034/2686
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/2034/2687
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