Malnutrition and intestinal parasitosis: Current prevalences and risk factors among schoolchildren in Misiones (Argentina)

Objectives

To assess the current prevalences of nutritional status and intestinal parasites, and their potential association with socio-environmental conditions among schoolchildren in Aristóbulo del Valle, Misiones.

Methods

We measured body weight and height in 444 schoolchildren aged 3–14 years and evaluated their nutritional status following WHO criteria. We examined fecal samples and anal swabs from 234 schoolchildren and collected socio-environmental data through questionnaires.

Results

The prevalence of undernutrition was 4.5% and excess of weight was 24.1%. The prevalence of stunting and of being overweight reached 2.3% and 12.4%, respectively. About 42% of the schoolchildren were infected with at least one of the 12 species identified. The most prevalent species were Blastocystis sp., Enterobius vermicularis, and Giardia lamblia. Entamoeba dispar was recorded for the first time in the locality. The multiple correspondence analysis identified peri-urban, urban, and rural groups. Underweight, stunting and obesity were highest in the peri-urban group, while overweight, wasting and parasitism rates were highest in the rural group. The urban group showed the lowest parasitic prevalences. Bed-sharing, mother's education, and animal husbandry were associated with parasitic infections.

Conclusions

The study highlights a decrease in undernutrition but a rise in overweight and obesity, indicating an ongoing nutritional transition. The association between socio-environmental risk factors and parasitic infections underscore the need for comprehensive interventions addressing both nutritional and socio-environmental conditions to improve the population's life quality.