Assessment of the Effect of Nutritional Status and Intestinal Parasitic Infection on Academic Performance of Elementary School Children in Teda Town, Gonder, EthioPia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2000-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
A cross sectional study was conducted in vo lving 641 students oC the two primary schools of
Teda town. North Gonder. The purpose of the study was to determine the nutritional and
intestinal parasitic in fection (!PI) status of the chi ldren, the effect of IPI and nutritional status
on the children's academic performance, and the effect of I PIon nutrition. Data were collected
using questionnai re and anthropometric measurements. Physical and stool examinations were
also carried out. Schoo l average scores were obtainedfi'OITI school records. The data were
entered. processed and analysed using EPr In fo version 6, computer software (and its
subprogram EPINUT). Underweight and stunting were fou nd to be 59.8% and 41.7%
respective ly, whereas the overalllPI rate was 77.7%. The commonest infection was Ascaris
lumbricoides with prevalence of66.7%, followed by Entameba histolytica with prevalence of
14.8%. Low than high pupils' school average score was significantly associated with
underweight, X2 = 39.45, (p value < 0.000 1), and with stunting, X = 19.79, (p < 0.00 1).
Intestinal parasitic infection did not show any association with the nutritional status and school
performance of the children. A higher proportion of the yo unger than the older age group was
underweight, OR = 1.86 (95% CI = 1.32,2.64). Also higher proportion of the urban students
than that of the rural ones were underweight, OR = 2.25 (95% cr = 1.59, 3. 18), and a
sign ifican tly higher proportion of the urhan than the rural students were stunted. The town and
the rural students were not different regarding to 11' 1. This survey should sensit ize concerned
bodi es for improving primary school chi ldren's health and nutrition. Recommendations are
made to take actions to alleviate the IPI and nutritional problems of the school children.
Description
Keywords
Assessment of the Effect of Nutritional Status and Intestinal Parasitic Infection