Nutritional and cognitive deficits of school-age children: A study in helminth-endemic fishing and farming communities in Ghana. Issue 3 (4th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tandoh, Marina Aferiba; Mills-Robertson, Felix Charles; Wilson, Michael David; Anderson, Alex Kojo
• Is Part Of: Nutrition & food science. Volume 50:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 443
• Page End: 462
• Publication Date: 2019-09-04
• Subjects: Ghana -- Nutrition -- Cognitive performance -- Kwahu Afram plains -- Fishing -- Helminths -- Farming; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1108/NFS-01-2019-0035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-6659

Abstract

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 10.5 ± 1.25 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 13.1 ± 4.57 µmol/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.