Impact of Polyparasitic Infections on Anemia and Undernutrition among Kenyan Children Living in a Schistosoma haematobium-Endemic Area

Abstract

We measured prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium,Wuchereria bancrofti,Plasmodium falciparum,hookworm, and other geohelminths among school-aged children in four endemic villages in Kwale County, Kenya and explored the relationship between multiparasite burden, undernutrition, and anemia. In 2009–2010 surveys, cross-sectional data were obtained for 2,030 children 5–18 years old. Infections were most prevalent for S. haematobium (25–62%), hookworm (11–28%), and falciparum malaria (8–24%). Over one-half of children were anemic, with high rates of acute and chronic malnutrition. Associations with infection status showed significant age and sex differences. For boys, young age, low socioeconomic standing (SES), S. haematobium, and/or malaria infections were associated with greater odds of anemia, wasting, and/or stunting; for girls, heavy S. haematobium infection and age were the significant cofactors for anemia, whereas low SES and older age were linked to stunting. The broad overlap of infection-related causes for anemia and malnutrition and the high freque Impact of Polyparasitic Infections on Anemia and Undernutrition among Kenyan Children Living in a Schistosoma haematobium-Endemic Area (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio /234156837_Impact_of_Polyparasitic_Infections_on_Anemia_and_Undernutrition_am ng_Kenyan_Children_Living_in_a_Schistosoma_haematobium-Endemic_Area [accessed Oct 16 2017].