Polyparasitism in School-Aged Children Living in the Schistosomiasis Endemic Focus of Muyuka-Cameroon after >8 Years of Sustained Control Measures: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism, its health impacts have been inadequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) following sustained control measures, as well as evaluate the outcomes and the clinical correlates of infection in school-aged children (SAC) living in the schistosomiasis endemic focus of Muyuka-Cameroon.Methods: Microhaematuria in urine sample was detected using reagent strip and S. haematobium ova by filtration/microscopy methods. Plasmodium in blood sample was detected using Giemsa stained blood films and complete blood count was obtained using an auto-haematology analyser. STH in stool sample was detected by the Kato-Katz method. Categorical and continuous variables were compared as required, Kappa value estimated and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) in the multivariate analysis was used to evaluate association of the risk factors with infection.Results: Out of the 638 SAC examined, single infection was prevalent in 33.4% while polyparasitism was 19.9%. Prevalence of S. haematobium + Plasmodium was 7.8%; S. haematobium + STH was 0.8%; Plasmodium + STH was 0.8% while, S. haematobium + Plasmodium + STH was 0.9%. Higher preponderance of S. haematobium + Plasmodium infection occurred in females, those from Likoko, did not use potable water, practiced bathing in stream and carried out open defecation than their equivalents. However, being female (AOR = 2.38, P = 0.009) was the only significant risk factor identified. Anaemia was a common morbidity (74.3%) with a slight agreement with microscopy in predicting S. haematobium and Plasmodium infections. The sensitivity and specificity of haematuria (13.0%) in predicting S. haematobium infection was 46.5% and 100% with a moderate agreement with microscopy. Co-infection with S haematobium and malaria parasite was significantly associated with 3-fold odds of history of fever in the last three days.Conclusions: Polyparasitism is a public health problem in the Ikata-Likoko area in Muyuka with females most at risk. Anaemia prevalence is exacerbated in co- and triple-infections and together with a history of fever are of value in predicting polyparasitism.

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Polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths in school-aged children in Muyuka–Cameroon following implementation of control measures: a cross sectional study

Infectious Diseases of Poverty ◽

10.1186/s40249-021-00802-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele ◽

Ofon Vitalis Otia ◽

Orelien Sylvain Mtopi Bopda ◽

Calvin Bisong Ebai ◽

Helen KuoKuo Kimbi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Single Infection ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽

School Aged Children ◽

History Of

Abstract Background Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism, its health impacts have been inadequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) following sustained control measures, as well as evaluate the outcomes and clinical correlates of infection in school-aged children (SAC) living in the schistosomiasis endemic focus of Muyuka-Cameroon. Methods In a cross-sectional study, urine, blood and stool samples were each collected from SAC (4–14 years) selected at random between March and June 2015. Microhaematuria in urine was detected using reagent strip and S. haematobium ova by filtration/microscopy methods. Plasmodium was detected using Giemsa-stained blood films and complete blood count was obtained using an auto-haematology analyser. STH in stool was detected by the Kato-Katz method. Categorical and continuous variables were compared as required, Kappa value estimated and the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) in the multivariate analysis was used to evaluate association of the risk factors with infection. Results Out of the 638 SAC examined, single infection was prevalent in 33.4% while polyparasitism was 19.9%. Prevalence of S. haematobium + Plasmodium was 7.8%; S. haematobium + STH was 0.8%; Plasmodium + STH was 0.8%; while S. haematobium + Plasmodium + STH was 0.9%. Higher preponderance of S. haematobium + Plasmodium infection occurred in females, those from Likoko, did not use potable water, practiced bathing in stream and carried out open defecation than their equivalents. However, being female (aOR = 2.38, P = 0.009) was the only significant risk factor identified. Anaemia was a common morbidity (74.3%) with a slight agreement with microscopy in predicting S. haematobium and Plasmodium infections. The sensitivity and specificity of haematuria (13.0%) in predicting S. haematobium infection was 46.5% and 100% with a moderate agreement with microscopy. Co-infection with S. haematobium and malaria parasite was significantly associated with threefold odds of history of fever in the last three days. Conclusions Polyparasitism is a public health problem in Muyuka with females most at risk. Anaemia prevalence is exacerbated in co- and triple-infections and together with a history of fever are of value in predicting polyparasitism.

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Polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths in school-aged children living in the urogenital schistosomiasis endemic focus of Muyuka-Cameroon following implementation of control measures: a cross sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-70696/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele ◽

Ofon Vitalis Otia ◽

Orelien Sylvain Mtopi Bopda ◽

Calvin Bisong Ebai ◽

Helen KuoKuo Kimbi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Endemic Focus ◽

History Of

Abstract Background: Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism, its health impacts have been inadequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) following sustained control measures, as well as evaluate the outcomes and clinical correlates of infection in school-aged children (SAC) living in the schistosomiasis endemic focus of Muyuka-Cameroon.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, urine, blood and stool samples were each collected from SAC (4-14 years) between March to June 2015. Microhaematuria in urine was detected using reagent strip and S. haematobium ova by filtration/microscopy methods. Plasmodium was detected using Giemsa stained blood films and complete blood count was obtained using an auto-haematology analyser. STH in stool was detected by the Kato-Katz method. Categorical and continuous variables were compared as required, Kappa value estimated and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) in the multivariate analysis was used to evaluate association of the risk factors with infection.Results: Out of the 638 SAC examined, single infection was prevalent in 33.4% while polyparasitism was 19.9%. Prevalence of S. haematobium + Plasmodium was 7.8%; S. haematobium + STH was 0.8%; Plasmodium + STH was 0.8% while, S. haematobium + Plasmodium + STH was 0.9%. Higher preponderance of S. haematobium + Plasmodium infection occurred in females, those from Likoko, did not use potable water, practiced bathing in stream and carried out open defecation than their equivalents. However, being female (AOR =2.38, P=0.009) was the only significant risk factor identified. Anaemia was a common morbidity (74.3%) with a slight agreement with microscopy in predicting S. haematobium and Plasmodium infections. The sensitivity and specificity of haematuria (13.0%) in predicting S. haematobium infection was 46.5% and 100% with a moderate agreement with microscopy. Co-infection with S. haematobium and malaria parasite was significantly associated with 3-fold odds of history of fever in the last three days.Conclusions: Polyparasitism is a public health problem in the Ikata-Likoko area in Muyuka with females most at risk. Anaemia prevalence is exacerbated in co- and triple-infections and together with a history of fever are of value in predicting polyparasitism.

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Polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium,Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths in school-aged children in Muyuka-Cameroon following implementation of control measures: a cross sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-70696/v3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele ◽

Ofon Vitalis Otia ◽

Orelien Sylvain Mtopi Bopda ◽

Calvin Bisong Ebai ◽

Helen KuoKuo Kimbi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Single Infection ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽

School Aged Children ◽

History Of

Abstract Background: Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism, its health impacts have been inadequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) following sustained control measures, as well as evaluate the outcomes and clinical correlates of infection in school-aged children (SAC) living in the schistosomiasis endemic focus of Muyuka-Cameroon.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, urine, blood and stool samples were each collected from SAC (4–14 years) selected at random between March to June 2015. Microhaematuria in urine was detected using reagent strip and S. haematobium ova by filtration/microscopy methods. Plasmodium was detected using Giemsa stained blood films and complete blood count was obtained using an auto-haematology analyser. STH in stool was detected by the Kato-Katz method. Categorical and continuous variables were compared as required, Kappa value estimated and the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) in the multivariate analysis was used to evaluate association of the risk factors with infection.Results: Out of the 638 SAC examined, single infection was prevalent in 33.4% while polyparasitism was 19.9%. Prevalence of S. haematobium + Plasmodium was 7.8%; S. haematobium + STH was 0.8%; Plasmodium + STH was 0.8% while, S. haematobium + Plasmodium + STH was 0.9%. Higher preponderance of S. haematobium + Plasmodium infection occurred in females, those from Likoko, did not use potable water, practiced bathing in stream and carried out open defecation than their equivalents. However, being female (aOR =2.38, P = 0.009) was the only significant risk factor identified. Anaemia was a common morbidity (74.3%) with a slight agreement with microscopy in predicting S. haematobium and Plasmodium infections. The sensitivity and specificity of haematuria (13.0%) in predicting S. haematobium infection was 46.5% and 100% with a moderate agreement with microscopy. Co-infection with S. haematobium and malaria parasite was significantly associated with 3-fold odds of history of fever in the last three days.Conclusions: Polyparasitism is a public health problem in Muyuka with females most at risk. Anaemia prevalence is exacerbated in co- and triple-infections and together with a history of fever are of value in predicting polyparasitism.

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Polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium,Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths in school-aged children in Muyuka-Cameroon following implementation of control measures: a cross sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-70696/v4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele ◽

Ofon Vitalis Otia ◽

Orelien Sylvain Mtopi Bopda ◽

Calvin Bisong Ebai ◽

Helen KuoKuo Kimbi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Single Infection ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽

School Aged Children ◽

History Of

Abstract Background: Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism, its health impacts have been inadequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) following sustained control measures, as well as evaluate the outcomes and clinical correlates of infection in school-aged children (SAC) living in the schistosomiasis endemic focus of Muyuka-Cameroon.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, urine, blood and stool samples were each collected from SAC (4–14 years) selected at random between March to June 2015. Microhaematuria in urine was detected using reagent strip and S. haematobium ova by filtration/microscopy methods. Plasmodium was detected using Giemsa-stained blood films and complete blood count was obtained using an auto-haematology analyser. STH in stool was detected by the Kato-Katz method. Categorical and continuous variables were compared as required, Kappa value estimated and the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) in the multivariate analysis was used to evaluate association of the risk factors with infection.Results: Out of the 638 SAC examined, single infection was prevalent in 33.4% while polyparasitism was 19.9%. Prevalence of S. haematobium + Plasmodium was 7.8%; S. haematobium + STH was 0.8%; Plasmodium + STH was 0.8%; while S. haematobium + Plasmodium + STH was 0.9%. Higher preponderance of S. haematobium + Plasmodium infection occurred in females, those from Likoko, did not use potable water, practiced bathing in stream and carried out open defecation than their equivalents. However, being female (aOR =2.38, P = 0.009) was the only significant risk factor identified. Anaemia was a common morbidity (74.3%) with a slight agreement with microscopy in predicting S. haematobium and Plasmodium infections. The sensitivity and specificity of haematuria (13.0%) in predicting S. haematobium infection was 46.5% and 100% with a moderate agreement with microscopy. Co-infection with S. haematobium and malaria parasite was significantly associated with 3-fold odds of history of fever in the last three days.Conclusions: Polyparasitism is a public health problem in Muyuka with females most at risk. Anaemia prevalence is exacerbated in co- and triple-infections and together with a history of fever are of value in predicting polyparasitism.

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Environmental Vector Control Practices among Households of Patients with Dengue Fever during the Epidemic of 2018 in Kerala, India

Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare ◽

10.18410/jebmh/2021/10 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (02) ◽

pp. 48-52

Author(s):

Chintha Sujatha ◽

Reshma Rajan Sudha ◽

Sreejith Lalitha Krishnankutty ◽

Prajitha Kannamkottapilly Chandrasekharan

Keyword(s):

Vector Control ◽

Dengue Fever ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Community Level ◽

Control Measures ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Breeding Habitats

BACKGROUND Dengue fever is a major public health problem in Kerala. Vector control measures practiced at household level is the most cost-effective way of controlling dengue. This study aims to assess environmental measures of vector control practised among households of suspected or confirmed dengue patients in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. METHODS A cross sectional study was done among households of patients diagnosed with dengue fever and reported in Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) in Thiruvananthapuram district from June to December 2018. Investigators interviewed the household members and made direct observations to collect data on vector control practices using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 108 houses were surveyed. Potential breeding habitats were found in 58 (53.7 %) houses. Aedes larva was found in containers from four (3.7 %) houses. Dry day observance was not regular with only 5 (4.6 %) houses practicing it weekly. Waste management practiced was proper in 47 (43.5 %) houses. Community level pre monsoon preparedness for epidemics was done in the vicinity of 53 (49.1 %) houses and it was found to be a protective factor against presence of breeding habitats in and around houses (p = 0.013). Low education (p = 0.012) and low occupational status (p = 0.017) were found to be significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Even during an epidemic, with occurrence of infections in the family, only half of the households are practising adequate vector control methods. Community level interventions and targeted information education campaign will help improve practice of environmental methods of vector control in dengue. KEYWORDS Dengue, Vector Control, Aedes Control, Environmental Methods, Community Interventions

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MEASLES OUTBREAK IN A RURAL AREA OF A DEVELOPING COUNTRY: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Pakistan Journal of Public Health ◽

10.32413/pjph.v7i4.78 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 197-201

Author(s):

Mir M Hassan Bullo ◽

Mirza Amir Baig ◽

Jawad Faisal Malik ◽

Ejaz Ahmad Khan ◽

Muazam Abbas Ranjha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Maculopapular Rash ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Control Measures ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

District Health ◽

Active Case

Background: Measles is highly contagious vaccine preventable disease (VPD), and a major public health problem considered as leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Pakistan. An outbreak of measles was reported in Sharifabad Islamabad on 15th of April 2017, and an investigation was launched to assess the magnitude of outbreak, evaluate risk factors and recommend control measures. Methods: A comprehensive house to house active case search along with vaccine coverage survey was conducted from April 19-22, 2017. A case was defined as "onset of maculopapular rash with fever in a resident of Sharifabad with at least one of the following signs/ symptoms, Coryza, Conjunctivitis, Cough, Otitis media or Pneumonia present in between 19 March to 22nd April 2017". Four age & sex matched controls were selected from the neighborhood. Data was collected through interview method using structured questionnaire and vaccination coverage was determined by using Epi survey form. Blood samples were sent for laboratory confirmation. Results: A total of eight cases were identified through active case finding while three were reported by local practitioner. Mean age of cases were 20 months (range 8-36 months). Severely affected age-group was 1-2 years with attack rate of 46%. Around two-third (64%) of cases and a few (16%) of controls were unvaccinated against measles. Contact with measles patient [OR 25.2, CI 3.9-160.1, P=0.00], unvaccinated children [OR 9.2 CI 2.12-40.4, P=0.000], social misconception regarding vaccination [OR 7.8 CI 1.42-42.6, P=0.00], and distance from healthcare facility [OR 5.7 CI 1.15-28.35, P=0.02] were significant risk factors. Vaccine efficacy was 90%. Conclusion: Main reasons of the outbreak were contact with the cases, and low vaccination status. We recommended comprehensive measles vaccination and community awareness sessions. On our recommendations district health authority Islamabad carried out mop up of whole area.

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Monitoring migrant groups as a post-validation surveillance approach to contain the potential reemergence of lymphatic filariasis in Togo

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04644-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Monique Ameyo Dorkenoo ◽

Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽

Degninou Yehadji ◽

Kossi Yakpa ◽

Mawèké Tchalim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Test Strip ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Positive Case ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Case Investigation ◽

Migrant Groups

Abstract Background In March 2017, Togo was declared the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem, but post-validation surveillance has been lacking. In some areas of the country, migrant groups from neighboring countries that are still endemic for LF pose a risk of reintroduction of LF to Togo. The objective of this study was to identify the risk posed by migrant groups by measuring their prevalence of LF infection and investigating any positive case using Togo’s case investigation algorithm to prevent resurgence of LF and sustain Togo’s elimination success. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 in the northernmost region of the country. Three migrant populations were identified: (i) nomadic Peuhls, (ii) Togolese members of local communities who migrate annually to neighboring countries for seasonal labor, and (iii) refugees from Ghana who came to Togo because of a communal conflict in Ghana. A questionnaire was designed to collect data on demographics and history of LF and MDA; all participants were tested for circulating filariasis antigen (CFA) using the filariasis test strip (FTS). Any CFA-positive case was confirmed with nocturnal microfilaremia. Results Refugees, seasonal economic migrants and nomadic Peuhls represented 42.1%, 31.4% and 26.5% of the study participants, respectively. The overall prevalence of CFA was 4.2% (58/1391) with the highest prevalence in the nomadic Peuhl group (11.9%), but only one of them (0.07%) was confirmed positive with nocturnal microfilaremia. Using the case investigation algorithm, no other positive case was identified in the positive case’s surroundings. Conclusion This study demonstrates that nomadic Peuhls, with a CFA prevalence of 11.9%, pose a potential risk for reintroduction of LF into Togo while Ghanaian refugees and seasonal economic migrants do not appear to pose a significant risk. Periodic monitoring of migrants, especially the nomadic Peuhl population, is a potential post-validation surveillance approach that could be used to promptly detect any LF cluster that may arise.

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Impact of COVID-19 Home Confinement in Children’s Refractive Errors

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5347

Author(s):

Cristina Alvarez-Peregrina ◽

Clara Martinez-Perez ◽

Cesar Villa-Collar ◽

Cristina Andreu-Vázquez ◽

Alicia Ruiz-Pomeda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Population ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Digital Devices ◽

Visual Screening ◽

Near Work ◽

The Impact

Background: Myopia is a public health problem, with estimations that 50% of the world population will be myopic by 2050. Some environmental factors, such as time spent outdoors, doing near work, and using digital devices, influence the development of myopia in children. Home confinement in Spain has increased these risk factors, so this study aims to investigate the impact of home confinement during the COVID-19 outbreak in the vision of school-aged children; Methods: A cross-sectional study in children between 5 and 7 years old that completed a visual screening and a questionnaire about their lifestyles at opticians in Spain in September and October of 2019 and 2020. Statistical analysis to compare lifestyles pre and post confinement, and vision in 2020 versus a similar cohort examined at the same opticians in 2019, was conducted; Results: Spanish children spent less time outdoors and more time doing near work in 2020 than in 2019 (p ≤ 0.001). There was a significant decrease of the spherical equivalent (mean ± standard deviation; 0.66 ± 2.03 D in 2019 vs. 0.48 ± 1.81 D in 2020; p ≤ 0.001); Conclusions: Lifestyles of Spanish children changed during the home confinement at the beginning of 2020. Together with changes in their lifestyles, spherical equivalents have decreased, which implies higher figures of myopia for children aged between 5 and 7.

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Prevalence and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among Orang Asli schoolchildren: new insights into the epidemiology, transmission and diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in Malaysia

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182019000945 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 146 (12) ◽

pp. 1602-1614 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi ◽

Nabil A. Nasr ◽

Yvonne A. L. Lim ◽

Fatin Nur Elyana ◽

Hany Sady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Agar Plate ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Control Programme ◽

Control Measures ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Orang Asli ◽

Direct Smear

AbstractThis cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of S. stercoralis infection among 1142 Orang Asli primary schoolchildren in six different states of Peninsular Malaysia. Fecal samples were examined using direct smear, formalin-ether sedimentation (FES), agar plate culture (APC) and PCR techniques. Overall, 15.8% of the children were found to be infected with S. stercoralis. The prevalence was 0.2, 1.3, 15.2 and 13.7% by direct smear, FES, APC and PCR, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that an age of >10 years, being male, belonging to a Proto-Malay tribe, belonging to the Senoi tribe, indiscriminate defecation, using an unimproved water source for drinking water and not wearing shoes when outside were the significant risk factors of infection among these children. In conclusion, we provide new evidence on the occurrence of S. stercoralis in Malaysia to show that there is a relatively high prevalence of infection among Orang Asli schoolchildren. Therefore, the use of specific methods for detecting S. stercoralis should be considered when screening these children for intestinal parasites. Moreover, prevention and control measures specific to S. stercoralis should be integrated into the intestinal parasitic infections control programme in Malaysia.

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Can Anthropometry and Body Composition Explain Physical Fitness Levels in School-Aged Children?

Children ◽

10.3390/children8060460 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 460

Author(s):

Chih-Yu Hsu ◽

Liang-Sien Chen ◽

I-Jen Chang ◽

Wei-Ching Fang ◽

Sun-Weng Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Z Score ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Muscle Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

School Aged Children

Physical fitness (PF) is closely related to various health outcomes and quality of life among children. However, the associations between anthropometry, body composition (BC), and PF are not fully elucidated. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between demographic metrics (age, sex), anthropometric measures (body mass index z-score (BMI z-score) waist/height ratio (WHtR)), BC parameters (body-fat percentage (BF%), muscle weight), and PF levels (800-m run, sit-and-reach, 1-min sit-ups, standing long jump) in school-aged children. Continuous variables were dichotomized by median splits. The results of 180 girls and 180 boys (mean age: 10.0 ± 0.7 years; mean BMI z-score: 0.366 ± 1.216) were analyzed. Multivariable linear regressions revealed that BF% (regression coefficient (B) = 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.5–4.3) was independently correlated with the 800-m run. Sex (B = 4.6, 95% CI = 3.0–6.3), age (B = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.9–4.3), and BMI z-score (B = −0.7, 95% CI = −1.4–−0.1) were independently related to sit-and-reach. Age (B = 3.3, 95% CI = 2.0–4.7), BF% (B = −0.3, 95% CI = −0.4–−0.2), and muscle weight (B = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.2–1.2) were independently associated with 1-min sit-ups. In addition to demography, anthropometry and BC provided additional information concerning some PF levels in school-aged children. Weight management and PF promotion should be addressed simultaneously in terms of preventive medicine and health promotion for children.

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