Nutritional and health status of primary school children in rural Uganda

Poor nutrition and health can affect children’s education. The nutritional status of school children (9-15 years) was assessed in Kumi district, Eastern Uganda in 2006-2007. Selection of schools was done using modified cluster sampling involving 34 schools (n=645). Assessments for nutritional status were done anthropometrically (height and weight), biochemically (iron, n=145; iodine, n=87; and vitamin A, n=145) and assessment for health status was done following the formal ether concentration technique for examination for intestinal helminths (n=189) and a quick malaria (n=119) test for malaria parasites. Prevalence rates for stunting, underweight and thinness were 8.7% (95CI 6.7-11.1); 13.0% (95CI 10.6-15.8); and 10.1% (95CI 7.9-12.6), respectively of which males and the older age group of children were more affected. Prevalence rates for iodine deficiency, anaemia, iron deficiency and vitamin A deficiency (VAD) were 3.4% (95CI 0.9-9.1); 24.1% (95CI 17.7-31.6); 82.1% (95CI 75.2-87.7); and 30.3% (95CI 23.3- 38.2), respectively. Anaemia (measured as haemoglobin status), iron deficiency (measured as serum Ferritin) and VAD (measured as serum retinol) were higher among females (26.3%, 95CI 17.5-36.7; 83.8%, 95CI 74.4-90.7; 33.8%, 95CI 24.0-44.6) compared to males (21.5%, 95CI 12.8-32.8; 80%, 95CI 69.0-88.4; 26.2%, 95CI 16.6-37.8). Geohelminth (S.mansoni & N.americanus) and malaria parasitemia were 4.8% and 46.2%, respectively. Prevalence rates for stunting, iodine deficiency and geohelminth infections were low. The high prevalence rates of wasting/thinness, underweight, iron and vitamin A deficiencies show these as significant public health problems among school children in Kumi district. There is a need to focus attention on nutritional and health conditions of school children to improve their conditions. Much can be done to prevent malaria infection by promoting the use of Insecticide Treated Nets and chemoprophylaxis. The biennial dosage with albendazole for deworming, and universal use of iodized salt in Uganda are success stories that should continue; iron deficiency anaemia can be controlled through nutrition education, provision of nutritious school meals coupled with control of malaria and deworming. Since many children attend school, such services if delivered through school systems would assist those school children who most need them.

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Reducing micronutrient deficiencies in Pakistani children: are subsidies on fortified complementary foods cost-effective?

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018001660 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (15) ◽

pp. 2893-2906 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Simon Wieser ◽

Beatrice Brunner ◽

Christina Tzogiou ◽

Rafael Plessow ◽

Michael B Zimmermann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Iron Deficiency ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Iodine Deficiency ◽

Iron Deficiency Anaemia ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Deficiency Anaemia ◽

The Cost

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the cost-effectiveness of price subsidies on fortified packaged complementary foods (FPCF) in reducing iodine deficiency, iron-deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency in Pakistani children.DesignThe study proceeded in three steps: (i) we determined the current lifetime costs of the three micronutrient deficiencies with a health economic model; (ii) we assessed the price sensitivity of demand for FPCF with a market survey in two Pakistani districts; (iii) we combined the findings of the first two steps with the results of a systematic review on the effectiveness of FPCF in reducing micronutrient deficiencies. The cost-effectiveness was estimated by comparing the net social cost of price subsidies with the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) averted.SettingDistricts of Faisalabad and Hyderabad in Pakistan.SubjectsHouseholds with 6–23-month-old children stratified by socio-economic strata.ResultsThe lifetime social costs of iodine deficiency, iron-deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency in 6–23-month-old children amounted to production losses of $US 209 million and 175 000 DALY. Poor households incurred the highest costs, yet even wealthier households suffered substantial losses. Wealthier households were more likely to buy FPCF. The net cost per DALY of the interventions ranged from a return per DALY averted of $US 783 to $US 65. Interventions targeted at poorer households were most cost-effective.ConclusionsPrice subsidies on FPCF might be a cost-effective way to reduce the societal costs of micronutrient deficiencies in 6–23-month-old children in Pakistan. Interventions targeting poorer households are especially cost-effective.

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Relationships between vitamin A, iron status and helminthiasis in Bangladeshi school children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980000000100 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 83-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

V Persson ◽

F Ahmed ◽

M Gebre-Medhin ◽

T Greiner

Keyword(s):

Iron Deficiency ◽

Vitamin A ◽

School Children ◽

Iron Deficiency Anaemia ◽

Iron Status ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Serum Retinol ◽

Deficiency Anaemia ◽

Vitamin A Status ◽

Β Carotene

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the relationships between biochemical indicators of vitamin A and iron status and the intestinal helminthsAscaris lumbricoidesand hookworm in primary school children.SettingTwo rural governmental schools in northwestern Bangladesh.DesignCross-sectional study.SubjectsThe sample consisted of 164 children in grades 3–5.MethodsSerum retinol and β-carotene (by high-performance liquid chromatography, HPLC), haemoglobin (HemoCue), ferritin (enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, ELIZA) and height and weight were measured. Dietary intake of vitamin A was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and faecal analyses were done using Stoll's egg-count technique.ResultsThe mean serum retinol was 26.8 μg dl−1and 20% had a level of <20 μg dl−1, the cut-off value for low vitamin A status. There was a strong positive association between serum β-carotene and serum retinol (r= 0.44,P<0.001), suggesting those with higher retinol levels had a higher carotene intake. Thirty-one per cent were anaemic (Hb <11.5 g dl−1), 30% had iron deficiency (serum ferritin <12.0 μg l−1) and 14% were suffering from iron deficiency anaemia. Children with a serum retinol level of 20 μg dl−1had significantly lower ferritin (14.0 compared to 26.0 μg l−1,P= 0.005) and Hb levels (11.7 compared to 12.4 g dl−1,P= 0.005) than those with higher levels. The proportion of iron deficiency anaemia was significantly greater among children with hookworm. Our data suggest that hookworm exerts its impact on iron status independently of the vitamin A status of the host.ConclusionsProgrammes to improve iron status should consider including both vitamin A prevention programmes and deworming.

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FAKTOR-FAKTOR PENYEBAB GAKY DAN HUBUNGANNYA DENGAN STATUS GIZI ANAK SEKOLAH DASAR NEGERI 36 SINGGALANG TANAH DATAR

SCIENTIA : Jurnal Farmasi dan Kesehatan ◽

10.36434/scientia.v8i2.167 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 200

Author(s):

RAHMITA YANTI

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Primary School ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Iodine Deficiency ◽

School Children ◽

Iodine Intake ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Iodine Deficiency Disorder ◽

P Value

The main nutritional problems facing the Indonesian government one of Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). West Sumatra province found the prevalence of enlarged adenoids school children is still high which ranges from 12% -44,1% and Total Goiter Rate also high in the coastal region. This study aims to determine the factors cause iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and relationship to nutritional status of primary school children 36 Singgalang Tanah Datar.This type of research is Case Control. The study population are the all of primary school children 36 Singgalang Tanah Datar, aged 9-12 years who suffered goiter examined palpation. The sample consisted of 30 cases and 30 controls. Sampling was done by purposive sampling technique. Data were processed using univariate, bivariate with chisquare test.The research results revealed there is relationship IDD to nutritional status of primary school children 36 Singgalang Tanah Datar (p = 0,034 (95% CI: 1,2 to 11,4)), an related of iodine intake (p = 0,016 (95% CI: 1,5 -14,4)), goitrogenik intake (p = 0,039 (95% CI: 1,2-9,9)), the quality of salt (p = 0,038 (95% CI: 1,2 to 10,2)), socioeconomic status (p = 0,02 (95% CI: 1,4-11,8), and the level of parents knowledge (p = 0,039 (95% CI: 1,2 to 9,9)) with iodine deficiency disorder. While variable which is not related to iodine deficiency disorder is the parents education level p = 0,77 (p value> 0,05)This study concluded that there is relationship IDD to nutritional status and there are relationship iodine intake, goitrogenik, salt quality, socioeconomic status, and level of knowledge of parent with iodine deficiency disorder. Need for nutrition counseling conducted by the health promotion officers regularly about the importance of the use of iodized salt for children's growth and nutrition education in the family menu processing so as to improve the nutritional status of children at the household levelKeywords : Iodine deficiency disorder, nutritional status, school children

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Magnitude of vitamin A deficiency in primary school children of Sirur: A chronically drought affected area

The Indian Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/bf02776429 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 423-426 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A. K. Pratinidhi ◽

V. S. Bapat ◽

Usha Shah

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Affected Area

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High Prevalence Rates of Anemia, Vitamin A Deficiency and Stunting Imperil the Health Status of Bedouin Schoolchildren in North Badia, Jordan

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000258632 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 358-367 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ibrahim M.D. Khatib ◽

Ibrahim Elmadfa

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

High Prevalence

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

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition ◽

10.1080/096374800111111 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 51 (sup1) ◽

pp. s43-s50 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

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

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A Program of Nutritional Education in Schools Reduced the Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Students

Anemia ◽

10.1155/2011/284050 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

María Nieves García-Casal ◽

Maritza Landaeta-Jiménez ◽

Rafael Puche ◽

Irene Leets ◽

Zoila Carvajal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Iron Deficiency ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

School Children ◽

Nutritional Education ◽

Post Intervention ◽

High Consumption ◽

Nutritional Health ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Before And After

The objective was to determine the prevalence of iron, folates and retinol deficiencies in school children and to evaluate the changes after an intervention of nutritional education. The project was developed in 17 schools. The sample included 1,301 children (678 males and 623 females). A subsample of 480 individuals, was randomly selected for drawing blood for biochemical determinations before and after the intervention of nutritional education, which included in each school: written pre and post-intervention tests, 6 workshops, 2 participative talks, 5 game activities, 1 cooking course and 1 recipe contest. Anthropometrical and biochemical determinations included weight, height, body-mass index, nutritional status, hematocrit, serum ferritin, retinol and folate concentrations. There was high prevalence of iron (25%), folates (75%) and vitamin A (43%) deficiencies in school children, with a low consumption of fruit and vegetables, high consumption of soft drinks and snacks and almost no physical activity. The nutritional education intervention produced a significant reduction in iron deficiency prevalence (25 to 14%), and showed no effect on vitamin A and folates deficiencies. There was a slight improvement in nutritional status. This study shows, through biochemical determinations, that nutritional education initiatives and programs have an impact improving nutritional health in school children.

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

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition ◽

10.1080/096374800750049567 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. S43-S50 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. E. Van Stuijvenberg, M. Faber, M. A

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

Primary School ◽

Palm Oil ◽

School Children ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Red Palm Oil ◽

Β Carotene

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

Zinc supplementation improves heme biosynthesis in rats exposed to lead ◽

10.18051/univmed.2015.v34.121-128 ◽

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 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. Methods 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. Results Of the 118 children, the prevalence of STH was 71.2%. The prevalence of low retinol serum (<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). Conclusions 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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Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in school children aged 6-16 years in Taoru Tehsil of South Haryana

International Journal of Scientific Reports ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-2156.intjscirep20163396 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (10) ◽

pp. 253

Author(s):

Rahul Roy ◽

Aparna Gupta ◽

Monica Chaudhry

Keyword(s):

Vitamin A ◽

School Children ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Economic Status ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Class Iii ◽

Class V ◽

Randomized Sampling ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Class Iv

Background: Sufficient data on occurrence of ocular morbidities associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) amongst school children was not available. Hence this study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of clinical forms of vitamin A deficit among the primary school children in relation to socio-economical status and BMI associated risks related to VAD.Methods: A randomized sampling study was designed among school children of 6-16 years of age after taking consent form from principal and teachers of different schools in Taoru Tehsil of South Haryana. A predesigned performa was used to collect the information. Results: Total 300 school children were examined for VAD, out of which 157 (52.3%) were boys and 143 (47.7%) were girls. Among the school children 53 (13.7%) students were under the age group of 6-11 years and 247 (86.3%) students were 12-16 years. Prevalence of VAD was observed in17 (5.7%) students, among them1 (0.3%) was associated with night blindness, 1(0.3%) conjunctival xerosis and 14 (5%) with bitots spot. Among 17 VAD suspects 13 (76.5%) were girls and 4 (23.5%) were boys. According to modified Kuppuswamy scale of Socio-economic status 48 (16%) students belongs to class III, 229 (76.33%) students from class IV and 23 (7.66%) students from class V. Out of 17 VAD suspects 2 (11.76%) belongs to class III, 14 (82.35%) belongs to class IV and 1 (5.88%) belongs to class V. Out of 17 VAD suspects all 17 (100%) were underweight.Conclusions:Socio-economic status and BMI index were closely associated with VAD. Prevention, early recognition, prompt treatment of ocular diseases by regular screening of students and nutritional education in schools would definitely decreases the risk of ocular abnormalities.

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