Malnutrition, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections among schoolchildren in rural Tanzania

Abstract

Background Malnutrition, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections continue to impact the nutritional status and health of children in lower-income countries, however not enough data concerning this issue is available. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of nutritional indicators, anemia and micronutrient deficiency and their underlying risk factors among schoolchildren in south-eastern Tanzania. Method/Principal findings This cross-sectional study enrolled primary schoolchildren aged 6–12 years from Kikwawila and Kiberege wards, Tanzania. In total 471 schoolchildren underwent physical examination and provided blood, stool and urine samples for micronutrient level assessment, nutritional and anemia status, and parasitic infection status. We employed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine the association between nutritional statuses, anemia, micronutrient deficiency and parasitic infections. We found that 23.90%, 12.60% and 16.20% of schoolchildren were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. About 14% of schoolchildren were found to be anemic and were more likely to be diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum infection (aOR: 3.95, 95% CI: 2.73–5.67). Vitamin A (34.70%) and vitamin B12 (8.80%) were the most prevalent micronutrients found to be deficient in diagnosed children. Finally, we found that schoolchildren attending the most rural schools were five times more likely to be diagnosed with at least one micronutrient deficiency (aOR: 5.04, 95% CI: 2.38–11.44). Conclusions/Significance Malnutrition, anemia and micronutrient deficiency still pose a significant health burden among schoolchildren living in rural Tanzania. To effectively tackle this burden, health interventions such as deworming, micronutrient supplementation, vector control, health education and access to clean water and improved sanitation should be strengthened and made sustainable.

Anemia in children aged 6–59 months was significantly associated with maternal anemia status in rural Zimbabwe

“…Boys were more likely to be anemic than girls, which was consistent with previous studies in Ethiopia (Melku et al, 2018), Togo (Nambiema et al, 2019), and in Boricha Woreda, Southern Ethiopia (Yoseph & Beyene, 2020). The ZDHS 2015 indicated a small variation by gender (38% of boys were anemic compared with 36% of girls) while other studies in rural Tanzania have found the opposite (Mrimi et al, 2022). The higher prevalence in boys could be related to the higher growth rate in boys resulting in a greater need for iron by the body, which might not be met by the diet (Silla et al, 2013).…”

“…Anemia is often associated with multiple proximal risk factors (iron and vitamin A deficiencies, inflammation, malaria, age, gender, and body mass index [BMI]) and distal risk factors (education status, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and urban or rural residence) (Cane et al, 2022; Mrimi et al, 2022; Wirth et al, 2017). In Zimbabwe, the major causes of anemia in children and WRA are likely to include malaria, helminths, iron, and other nutritional deficiencies and chronic infections (ZIMSTAT, 2015).…”

Correlation of Cytokines with Parasitic Infections, Undernutrition and Micronutrient Deficiency among Schoolchildren in Rural Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In this context, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with schoolchildren living in rural south-eastern Tanzania. Our findings on the prevalence of parasitic infections, undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency and demography have been published elsewhere [15,16]. The aim of the current study was to correlate the concentration of cytokines IL-4, IFNγ and interleukin 17A (IL-17A) with: (i) the presence or absence of parasitic infections, clinical signs and symptoms, undernutrition, anaemia, micronutrient deficiency, inflammatory and anaemia markers, and (ii) household and community risk factors such as drinking water sources and sanitation, housing quality, location of the school and socioeconomic status, which play a role in parasite transmission and infection.…”

Reporting and Methodological Quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Malnutrition in the East African Community: A Systematic Review Protocol

“…Micronutrient malnutrition has a direct impact on the overall health. More than two billion people in the world today may be affected by micronutrient malnutrition (14). Vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and iodine deficiency disorders are the most common forms of micronutrient malnutrition (15).…”