Nutritional and cognitive deficits of school-age children: A study in helminth-endemic fishing and farming communities in Ghana
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Date
2019-08-22
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nutrition & Food Science
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association between helminth infections, dietary
parameters and cognitive performance, as well as the predictors of undernutrition among school-age children
(SAC) living in helminth-endemic fishing and farming communities in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach – This was a cross sectional study involving 164 (9 to 12 years old)
SAC from fishing (n=84) and farming (n=80) communities of the Kwahu Afram Plains South District of the
Eastern Region of Ghana, using structured questionnaires and anthropometric and biochemical assessments.
Findings – Overall, 51.2% of the children were males, with no significant gender difference between the
communities (p=0.88). Average age of the children was 10.561.25 years, with no significant difference
between the farming and fishing communities (p=0.90). About 53.1% of all children were anemic, with no
significant differences between farming versus fishing communities (p=0.87). Helminth-infected children
were significantly anemic (p=0.03). Mean serum zinc level of all children was 13.164.57mmol/L, with zinc
deficiency being significantly higher in children in the farming community (p<0.0001). About 7.5%of all the
children were underweight, whilst 13.8% were stunted with a higher proportion of stunting occurring among
older children (p=0.001) and girls (p=0.117). There was no significant difference in the Raven’s Colored
Progressive Matrices cognitive test scores between the two communities (p=0.79). Predictors of anemia were
helminthiasis and pica behavior.
Originality/value – These findings are relevant and have the prospect of guiding the development of
intervention programs in addressing the persistent problem of nutritional and cognitive deficits among SAC.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Ghana, Nutrition, Cognitive performance, Kwahu Afram plains, Fishing, Helminths, Farming