ASSOCIATION OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS WITH ANEMIA AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN IN AMRAN GOVERNORATE, YEMEN

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al Baha University, Al Baha, Saudi Arabia

2 Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Amran University, Amran and Yemen

3 Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Egypt

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and anemia are common conditions among children, especially
in developing countries. Schoolchildren are particularly susceptible to these conditions, which can
affect their school performance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of IPIs and
anemia among schoolchildren in Amran Governorates, north of Yemen, and to investigate the association
between the two conditions. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 school-children
aged 7-15 years in primary schools, Amran Governorate from January to February 2023.
Sociodemographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and stool samples were
collected, processed and examined for parasites. Hemoglobin level was also measured using a portable
hemoglobin meter. Binary logistic regression was used to test the association of sociodemographic
characteristics and anemia with IPIs at P-values <0.05. The prevalence of IPIs among schoolchildren
was 57.4%, with Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (35.7%) the most common, followed by Giardia
lamblia (25.2%) and then Hymenolepis nana (13%). However, a few children were infected with
Enterobius vermicularis, Schistosoma mansoni and Trichuris trichiura. Most children were monoinfected
(66.7%), followed by those with two parasite species (30.3%). But, anemia was prevalent
among 17.4% of children. There was no significant association between IPIs and sociodemographic
characteristics of children. However, anemia was significantly associated with IPIs (odds ratio = 6.7,
95% confidence interval: 2.52–17.87; P <0.001).

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