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  • Title: Parasitic infestation and nutritional status among schoolchildren in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
    Author: Phathammavong O, Moazzam A, Xaysomphoo D, Phengsavanh A, Kuroiwa C.
    Journal: J Paediatr Child Health; 2007 Oct; 43(10):689-94. PubMed ID: 17854455.
    Abstract:
    AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation among school-aged children residing in Vientiane capital city; and to assess the impact of its infestation on nutrition status of those children. METHODS: The school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2005 to February 2006. The systemic random samplings were employed to select schools and schoolchildren. Five hundred and thirty-six schoolchildren (350 high-school children and 186 parents of elementary-school children) were completely interviewed by semistructured questionnaire and performed anthropometric measurement. The direct faecal smear was employed to analyse 299 (55.8%) stool samples. The SPSS version 12.01 and Epi Info version 6.0 were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of parasitic infestation was 38.1%, with 18.1% of Opisthorchis viverrini and 14.7% of Ascaris lumbricoides. The prevalences of stunting and underweight were 20.2% and 20.0%, respectively. The prevalences of stunting (OR = 3.28; P < 0.01) and underweight (OR = 2.69; P < 0.05) were higher among high-school children who were infested by intestinal parasites. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of schoolchildren in Vientiane capital city were infested by intestinal parasites. The persistent parasitic infestation seemed to be associated with growth rate pattern among those children. School-based parasite control programme and health promotion are needed to eliminate this major public health problem in Lao People Democratic Republic.
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