Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Vast number of school-aged children in developing countries face major health and nutrition problems. Many of these children have a history of PEM as well as nutritional deficiencies of vitamin A and iron. These conditions are exacerbated by helminths infection which is highly prevalent among school-aged children and particularly inimical to their healthy growth, development and educational progress. Yet, large parasite burdens, particularly severe hookworm infection, are associated with impaired cognitive function as well as educational outcome measures such as absenteeism, under-enrollment, and attrition. Thus, helminthic infection appears to constitute a very real barrier to children’s progress in school. In this study a total number of 555 students were selected by random sampling in Robat Karim city. Data was collected by using questionnaires and face to face interviews with children’s mothers. The stool specimens, collected fresh in paper cups, were examined by formol-ether concentration and for diagnosis of oxyuriasis the adhesive cellophane tape was applied. Nutritional status of the students was determined based on anthropometric measurement. Any students whose weight or height was less than -2SD, expected for the given age, was regarded as being malnourished. The results showed that nutritional status of the students on the base of height for age was 6.5% and on the base of weight for height was 9.6% which showed malnutrition. The prevalence of parasites infection was 49.6% including 23% pathogen, 18.5% giardiasis (CI 15.2-22.3) and 4.5% hymenolepis nana (CI 2.8-6.7). 26.6% non pathogen included 19.8% antamobacoli (CI 16.4-23.6), 3.1% andolimax (CI 1.7-5.1), 1.4% iodoambabutchili (CI 0.57-2.9) and the others were less than 1%. The prevalence of oxyuriasis based on cellophane tape was 38.9%. Therefore, the total rate pathogen parasitic infection among students was 61.9%. The prevalence of malnutrition on the base of weight for height was higher in the boys than in the girls and the prevalence of parasites infection was significantly higher in the boys (51.1%) (CI 44.9-57.2) than in the girls (42.3%) (CI 35.7-49) P<0.05). A significant relationship was found between malnutrition (height for age) and parasitic infection P<0.013. There was also a significant relationship between malnutrition (weight for age) and oxyuriasis P<0.006. Consequently, compensatory strategies must be developed to improve health quality.