scholarly journals Vitamin A Deficiency among Rural Primary School Children, A still Neglected Group for Vitamin A Supplementation Strategies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustin Nawidimbasba ZEBA ◽  
Jean Fidèle Bationo ◽  
Olivier Ouahamin Sombié ◽  
Jeoffray Diendéré
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
School Children ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
High Dose

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is still a public health problem across the globe and also in Burkina Faso, especially for under-five-years-old children. Since less information is available about the prevalence of VAD among the primary school children, this study aimed to study this area. Methods: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of high dose of vitamin A (VA) and daily zinc versus high dose of VA and daily zinc placebo (6 days per week) during four months among the primary school children. Of the total number of 200 school children, 100 were allocated to two random groups. Participants’ gender, age, weight, and height were measured, a blood smear was performed for malaria diagnosis, stool samples were collected for intestine parasites’ assessment, and blood samples were collected for haemoglobin and serum retinol measurement. Results: Baseline data of 183 school children were analysed and the findings showed that 20.6% of the school children were underweight (23.2% in girls vs. 16.5% in boys; P = 0.043). Anemia affected 36.2%, 39% had Plasmodium Falciparum, and 37.6% had intestine parasites. Furthermore, VAD prevalence was 46.1% (51.0% in boys vs. 41.2% in girls; P = 0,072). Conclusion: Among primary school children in the Western part of Burkina Faso, VAD is not only higher than other regions of the country, but also twice the critical level and defined as a severe public health problem by WHO. This result calls for action among the primary school children and recalls the importance of taking strategies against VAD among under-five-year-old children.

scholarly journals Iodine deficiency disorders in a South Indian district: still a public health problem?

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 4333
Author(s):  
Prasanna Kamath B. T. ◽  
Ananta Bhattacharyya ◽  
Varsha R. Mokhasi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Iodine Deficiency ◽  
School Children ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Iodine Deficiency Disorders ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Goiter Prevalence

Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute the single largest cause of preventable brain damage worldwide leading to learning disabilities and psychomotor impairment. Nearly 266 million school children worldwide have insufficient iodine intake. IDD was found to be a public health problem in 47 countries. Since the information on current prevalence of goiter in Kolar was not available, the present study was undertaken.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children aged 6-12 years in Kolar taluk. A total of 2700 children were selected for goiter examination by multistage random cluster sampling technique. A total of 270 children were tested for the median urinary concentration and 540 salt samples were tested from the households of the study population.Results: The total goiter rate was 5.66% among primary school children aged 6-12 years with a significant difference between ages. As the age increased the goiter prevalence also increased. The median urinary iodine excretion level was found to be 105 mcg/l and 92.788.7% salt samples had >15 ppm iodine content.Conclusions: Present study shows mild goiter prevalence in primary school children in Kolar district and an adequate iodine content of salt in urine.

scholarly journals PERSONAL HYGIENE AND ANTHELMINTIC CONSUMPTION IN PREVENTION OF ENTEROBIASIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 265
Author(s):  
Ratna Muliawati ◽  
Mushidah Mushidah ◽  
Siti Musyarofah
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Prevalence Odds Ratio

Background: Pinworm infection remains a global public health problem in Indonesia, with the highest prevalence in primary school–aged children. The government has made helminthiasis control efforts through annual deworming every six months, yet data on the enterobiasis prevalence and its risk factors are still limited. Purpose: This research aimed to determine the role of personal hygiene and anthelmintic or worm medicine consumption in the prevention of enterobiasis among primary school children. Methods: This research employed an analytic observational method with a cross-sectional design. The population used was primary school children in the Public Health Center (PHC) of Kaliwungu area, Kendal District, Central Java Province. The research sample was 150 students from first grade to third grade at 1 Primary Elementary School 1 Kutoharjo. The data sources were obtained from interviews of risk factors and perianal swab examinations. The data were analyzed by a chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of pinworm infection among primary school children remains high (37.33%). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that there are three determinant variables of pinworm infections: not washing hands with soap before eating (p < 0.01; Prevalence Odds Ratio (POR) = 6.47; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 2.87 < POR < 14.59); not washing hands with soap after defecation (p = 0.01; POR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.40 < POR < 8.05); and not consuming anthelmintic drugs within the past six months (p = 0.03; POR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.08 < POR < 5.50). Conclusion: Hand washing habits and annual deworming are important factors to prevent pinworm infections.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides in contaminated faecal samples of children residing in urban areas of Lahore, Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahida Azhar Ali ◽  
Sadaf Niaz ◽  
Liliana Aguilar-Marcelino ◽  
Wajid Ali ◽  
Majid Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
School Children ◽  
Ascaris Lumbricoides ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Urban Study ◽  
Faecal Samples

AbstractAscariasis is a common public health problem of preschool and primary school children in developing countries like Pakistan. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of Ascaris lumbericoides (A. lumbricoides) infection among children residing in urban areas of Lahore, to provide information on ascariasis to promote awareness and prevention programs between the participants specially on the months or season of higher prevalence. To investigate the prevalence of Ascaris Lumbricoides in the contaminated faecal samples of children residing in urban areas of Lahore, a study was conducted from November 2010 to October 2012 and we collected 3600 stratified faecal samples from six urban study areas. Overall 32/3600 (0.88%) prevalence of fecal samples was found positive for eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides. Area wise highest presence positivity 1.67% was observed in Allama Iqbal Town followed by 1.17% in Samanabad, 1.00% in Wapda Town, 1.00% in Gulberg, 0.50% in Cantt, and the lowest 0.00% in Valencia Town respectively (p < 0.001) The highest month wise positivity prevalence 3/300 (3.33%) (p < 0.001) was observed in the month of September that gradually declined up to 0/300 (0.00%) in the month of March. The results reveal that urban areas of Lahore are susceptible to Ascaris Lubricoides infection and the highest prevalence were observed autumn on the month of September.

Red palm oil as a source of β-carotene in a school biscuit used to address vitamin A deficiency in primary school children

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (sup1) ◽  
pp. s43-s50 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. van Stuijvenberg ◽  
M. Faber ◽  
M. A. Dhansay ◽  
C. J. Lombard ◽  
N. Vorster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
School Children ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Red Palm Oil ◽  
Β Carotene

scholarly journals Utilization of vitamin A supplementation services in high priority districts of Bihar

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Nivedita Sinha ◽  
Rajesh R. Sinha ◽  
Ajay Krishna ◽  
Rashmi Singh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
Ultimate Outcome

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major preventable public health problem. Prevalence of VAD in preschool children was 5.7% (India), and 4.5% (Bihar). India is implementing biannual Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) since 2007 along with 80 other countries. VAS was originally proposed as a short term measure, followed by dietary improvement. Since vulnerability to VAD is more in high priority districts (HPDs), it was deemed worthwhile to study the extent to which VAS programme is utilized in the 10 HPDs of Bihar with respect to the processes involved and the ultimate outcome of empowering the community with knowledge and capacity to combat VAD on their own.Methods: Cross sectional observational study conducted in 6 randomly selected blocks and 5 session sites per block of the 10 HPDs. 300 sites sampled for processes and 893 caregivers interviewed for their knowledge.Results: Out of 300 sites, 269 sites found functional, 30.85% sites had due lists and 30.11% had MCP cards; 20.44% had adequate VA. IEC displayed at 52.78% and 71.3% sessions conducted in shade. In 79.55% sites efforts made to determine age of child before administration. Correct use of recommended spoon known to 80.66%, benefits of VA to 76.57% and diseases due to VAD to 81.7% of FLWs. Knowledge regarding VA good in 33.4% of caregivers, average in 35.5%, and poor in 30.9%.Conclusions: Crucial gaps found in necessary inputs and conduct of VAS. Community knowledge found lacking for sustainable programme withdrawal. Better programme management will improve utilization. 

scholarly journals Anthropometric Indices in Primary School Children of Iranshahr City, Iran

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Montazerifar ◽  
Mansour Karajibani ◽  
Hossnieh Asoudeh ◽  
Mohaddeseh Asoudeh ◽  
Ali Reza Dashipour
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Private Schools ◽  
School Children ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
World Health ◽  
Anthropometric Indices ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Malnutrition, as a serious health problem in children, has an increasing prevalence in the developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the anthropometric indices of primary school children in Iranshahr, a city in central region of Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1000 6-14 year-old primary school children studying in 16 public and 5 private schools in Iranshahr city from May to June 2017. The sampling was done using multistage cluster random method. The school records were used to determine the students' ages. Their weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Anthropometric indices including weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age were assessed using the National Center for Health Statistics/World Health Organization international growth reference and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2000). Results: The rate of thinness was significantly higher in public than private schools (18.1% vs 1%; P < 0.0001). Overweight/obesity was lower in public schools’ children compared to students of the private schools (0.1% vs 9.3%; P = 0.007). The rates of stunting and underweight in public and private schools’ children were 50.2% vs. 53.3% (P = 0.11) and 46.6% vs 35% (P < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusion: Findings showed that although nutritional status was better in private schools than public schools, malnutrition is still a potential public health problem in this area. Therefore, the nutrition interventions are suggested at national and regional levels to increase the parents' awareness.

scholarly journals Albendazole increases serum retinol concentration in primary schoolchildren with low serum retinol

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Jane Florida Kalumpiu ◽  
Yenny Djuardi ◽  
Taniawati Supali
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Serum Retinol Concentration ◽  
Retinol Concentration ◽  
Low Serum

Background<br />Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection is still a health problem in Indonesia. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is often found together with STH. The effect of the deworming program on the vitamin A status of primary school children is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of albendazole on serum retinol concentrations in primary school children.<br /><br />Methods<br />An experimental study of pre-post test design without control was carried out on 118 children from grades 3-5 at one primary school in North Jakarta, from July to September 2014. Flotac examination was used to determine STH infections and high performance liquid chromatography was performed to measure serum retinol concentration. Stool and blood samples were taken twice: before and three weeks after treatment with albendazole 400 mg single dose for three consecutive days given to all children either infected or uninfected. Paired t-test was used to analyze the data. <br /><br />Results<br />Of the 118 children, the prevalence of STH was 71.2%. The prevalence of low retinol serum (&lt;1.05 mmol/L) was 17 (17.2%) and of mild VAD was 2 (2.0%). Albendazole given in 3 consecutive days could not increase serum retinol concentrations (p=0.055). Serum retinol concentration significantly increased after albendazole treatment in children with low retinol serum at baseline (p=0.001). <br /><br />Conclusions<br />In children with low serum retinol concentration, treatment with albendazole increased retinol concentration. Integrated deworming and vitamin A supplementation strategies should be evaluated in this population.

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