Jinabhai C C, Taylor M, Coutsoudis A, Coovadia H M, Tomkins A M, Sullivan K R
Department of Community Health, School of Family and Public Health Medicine, University of Natal, Private Bag 7, Congella 4013, Durban, South Africa.
Ann Trop Paediatr. 2001 Mar;21(1):50-8.
A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken to measure anthropometric indices, micronutrient status and prevalence of parasite infections in 579 rural South African primary school children. Eleven schools were selected randomly from a Magisterial District in southern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). In each school, all pupils aged between 8 and 10 years were selected. The following outcome measures were obtained: anthropometric--height for age, weight for age and body mass index; micronutrient status--anaemia, serum ferritin and vitamin A; and prevalence of parasite infections--Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Schistosoma haematobium. The observed prevalences were: stunting 7.3%, underweight for age 0.7%, and obesity 3.1%; anaemia 16.5% (Hb < 12 g/dl), vitamin A deficiency 34.7% (serum retinol < 20 micrograms/dl) and 28.1% with reduced serum ferritin (< 12 ng/ml); Trichuris trichiura 53.9%, Ascaris lumbricoides 27.3% and Schistosoma haematobium 24.5%. We conclude that micronutrient deficiency, parasitic infestations and stunting remain significant problems among school-aged children in South Africa. Micronutrient supplementation and de-worming provide opportunities for school-based health promotion and primary health care interventions, and might produce significant health and educational benefits.
开展了一项基于社区的横断面研究，以测量579名南非农村小学生的人体测量指标、微量营养素状况和寄生虫感染率。从夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省（KZN）南部的一个行政区随机选取了11所学校。在每所学校中，选取了所有年龄在8至10岁之间的学生。获得了以下结果指标：人体测量指标——年龄别身高、年龄别体重和体重指数；微量营养素状况——贫血、血清铁蛋白和维生素A；以及寄生虫感染率——蛔虫、鞭虫和埃及血吸虫。观察到的感染率分别为：发育迟缓7.3%，年龄别体重不足0.7%，肥胖3.1%；贫血16.5%（血红蛋白<12 g/dl），维生素A缺乏34.7%（血清视黄醇<20微克/dl），血清铁蛋白降低（<12 ng/ml）的比例为28.1%；鞭虫感染率53.9%，蛔虫感染率27.3%，埃及血吸虫感染率24.5%。我们得出结论，微量营养素缺乏、寄生虫感染和发育迟缓在南非学龄儿童中仍然是重大问题。补充微量营养素和驱虫为以学校为基础的健康促进和初级卫生保健干预提供了机会，可能会产生重大的健康和教育效益。
