Risk factors for iron depletion and parasites in schoolchildren of Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico (804.24)

Abstract

With the purpose to demonstrate risk factors associated to parasites and iron depletion on school children it was carried out a case and control design, 102 children of 60 to 144 months of age as a case group from the Instituto Alteño para el Desarrollo de Arandas, Jalisco and 206 randomly selected children from the elementary school as controls were included. Variables as ferritin levels (ng/mL) and parasites, socioeconomic, demographic, family characteristics, and hygiene were considered. A non paired t Student, U Mann Whitney, chi square tests and odds ratio were estimated. Family income of the controls was higher than cases (p=0.031). Fathers with incomplete elementary school was higher in cases (41.3%) than controls (35.4%) [RM=1.88 (1.0, 3.55), p=0.05]. Temporary jobs were higher cases than controls [RM = 5.6 (3.26, 9.62), p < 0.001]. Ferritin concentration was higher in controls (60 ng/mL) that cases (25 ng/mL) p < 0.001. Frequency of parasites was of 32% in cases and 22% in controls. Giardiasis and two or more parasites were higher in cases than controls (p < 0.01). Lower family incomes, instability of father’s job, lack of education, persons sleeping in the same room and living with animals were associated with parasites and iron depletion. (p < 0.05). There were a similarity of associated factors to iron depletion and parasites and the presence of parasites was risk factor for iron depletion. Grant Funding Source: National Council for Science and Technology, Mexico & Teasdale Corti Grant # 103460‐044, Canada