Nutritional and cognitive deficits of school-age children: A study in helminth-endemic fishing and farming communities in Ghana

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.