Prevalence and Sensitization and Intestinal Parasitic Infestation of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in School Children of Kinshasa

Background: There is no study that estimates the prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and the association between vernal keratoconjunctivitis and intestinal parasitic infestation in our setting. Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the vernal keratoconjunctivitis prevalence, describe the profile of sensitization and determine the association between vernal keratoconjunctivitis disease and intestinal parasitic infestation in school children of Kinshasa during the scholar year from 2022 to 2023. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was performed from September 2022 to June 2023. The children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis were recruited by using the four-stage probability sampling technique. Children attending in the school children of Kinshasa with vernal keratoconjunctivitis were enrolled in the classroom and underwent a clinical examination and skin prick test for 11 allergens and stool examination direct with microscope in the Laboratory. Data were entered in Microsoft Sheets using SPSS version 20.0. The Chi-square test was used to compare the sex, age groups, home environment (grow trees and/or flowers around the yard), dampness in the house, keeping pets (cat and/or dog), number of people per household, number of people sharing a bedroom and intestinal parasitic infestation. The significant level was set to a value of p Results: A total of 28,800 students from four-stage probabilist sampling technique in school of Kinshasa were included, and 2100 students had symptoms according to the vernal keratoconjunctivitis-related symptom questionnaire. Children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis were enrolled and the mean age ± standard was 7.2 ± 3.7 years, with a prevalence of 7.2% and gender was three boys for one girl. All vernal keratoconjunctivitis children recruited in urban and rural part had 33.1% positive skin prick test (SPT) and 67.9% showed polysensitization. Children an urban part was more sensitized than rural respectively with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 28.1% vs 28.9%, p = 0.00001, Blomia tropicalis. 15.9% vs 14.9%, p = 0.00001 and cockroach 12% vs 13%, p = 0.00001 in both parts. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis children in rural part were more affected to the intestinal parasite than urban with Ascaris lumbricoides 14% vs 18.3%, p = 0.0006, followed by Ancylostoma duodenale 9.5% vs 12.5%, p = 0.003, Anguillule 7.9% vs 10.1%, p = 0.001, Oxyure 5.7% vs 8.2%, p = 0.0001 and Trichuris trichiura 2.6% vs 3.3%, p = 0.0009. Conclusion: This study outlines that the prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis was 7.2% and 33.1% of children attending for vernal keratoconjunctivitis in school children had a positive skin prick test to at least one allergen, in particular for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Blomia tropicalis and cockroach. The most common intestinal parasitic infestation was Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Anguillule and Trichuris trichiura.

The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error in urban, suburban, exurban and rural primary school children in Indonesian population

Uncorrected refractive error（URE） is a major health problem among school children. This study was aimed to determine the frequency and patterns of URE across 4 gradients of residential densities（urban, exurban, suburban and rural）. This was a cross-sectional study of school children from 3 districts in Yogyakarta and 1 district near Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The information regarding age, sex, school and school grader were recorded. The Snellen＇s chart was used to measure the visual acuity and to perform the subjective refraction. The district was then divided into urban, suburban, exurban and rural area based on their location and population. In total, 410 school children were included in the analyses（urban=79, exurban=73, suburban=160 and rural=98 school children）. Urban school children revealed the worst visual acuity（P〈0.001） and it was significant when compared with exurban and rural. The proportion of URE among urban, suburban, exurban and rural area were 10.1%, 12.3%, 3.8%, and 1%, respectively, and it was significant when compared to the proportion of ametropia and corrected refractive error across residential densities（P=0.003）. The risk of URE development in urban, suburban, exurban, and rural were 2.218（95%CI： 0.914-5.385）, 3.019（95%CI： 1.266-7.197）, 0.502（95%CI： 0.195-1.293）, and 0.130（95%CI：0.017-0.972）, respectively. Urban school children showed the worst visual acuity. The school children in urban and suburban residential area had 2 and 3 times higher risk of developing the URE.

Comparison Study of Art Therapy and Play Therapy in Reducing Anxiety on Pre-School Children Who Experience Hospitalization

Pain and hospitalization caused a crisis in the child’s life. At the pre-school children, the stress of the disease makes children become less able to cope with separation. As a result, many children show anxious behavior though more vague than toddler age children. Various ways have been conducted by nurses to treat anxiety in children, but the most effective types of the intervention have not be found. Types of intervention that can be done are art therapy and play therapy. This study aims to compare the effects of art therapy and play therapy in reducing anxiety on children who experience hospitalization. A quasi-experimental research design with pre-post test two group design is used. The sample was 23 children pre-school age for art therapy group and 25 children for play therapy with sampling techniques performed purposive sampling. Intervention of art therapy and play therapy each performed for 3 days with duration about 30 minutes. Anxiety levels before and after the intervention were measured by using the facial affective scale. The results show that there is a difference in anxiety between before and after the action in the art therapy group (p = 0.00) and that there are differences in anxiety before and after the action in the play therapy group (0.00). But statistical tests using Man Whitney U indicate that there is no difference in anxiety levels in pre-school children who do art therapy and play therapy (p = 0.26). So, it is concluded that the art therapy and the play therapy can reduce the level of anxiety on pre-school school children that experience hospitalization. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended that the art therapy and the play therapy can be used by nurses and the choice of the intervention should be submitted to the child.

Prevalence and risks of soil transmitted helminths among Ethiopian school children:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To assess the prevalence and associated factors of soil transmitted helminths(STHs)among Endemata primary school in North West Ethiopia,2021.Methods:A cross-sectional study with 195 school children was conducted from May to July 2021 at Endemata primary school.The study participants were selected by using systematic random sampling technique.Stool samples were processed via direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques.Data was entered by Epi-Dara version 3.1 and data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0.Variables were considered to be statistically significant if P<0.05 at 95%confidence level.Results:The overall prevalence of STHs was 10.8%(95%CI 7.1-16.0).The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides,hookworm and Trichuris trichiura were 5.6%(95%CI 3.1-9.9),3.1%(95%CI 1.3-6.7)and 2.1%(95%CI 0.6-5.3),respectively.Grade 1-4 students were more likely to get infected with STHs as compared to grade 5-8 students(adjusted OR 4.7,95%CI 1.3-16.6).Students who did not have latrines at their home were at higher risk to develop STHs infection comparing with those who had latrine at their home(adjusted OR 5.0,95%CI 1.7-15.2).Similarly,the school children who did not wear shoes were more likely to be infected by STH parasite than those who did it(adjusted OR 6.3,95%CI 1.9-20.7).The odds of being infected by STH parasites in children who did not trim their fingernails were 4.9 as compared to those who did it(adjusted OR 4.9,95%CI 1.5-15.7).Conclusions:The prevalence of STHs among Endemata primary school children was low.Student grade level,latrine availability,shoes wear and nail status were significantly associated with STHs infection.Therefore,we recommend policy makers and stakeholders to follow the integration of deworming with water,hygiene and sanitation as well as the consistent health education of school children to control and prevent STH infections.

Dual Burden of Malnutrition among Primary School Children in Myanmar

Background: The distribution of childhood nutritional diseases is shifting from a predominance of under nutrition to a dual burden of under-and over nutrition in low and middle income countries. Rapid economic development and urbanization lead to an increase in overweight and obesity and diet-related chronic diseases. The co-existence of under-and over nutrition is double burden and this is a public health challenge for community. Objective: To find out the nutritional status of primary school children. Method: The study was school based descriptive study and conducted during November 2014 to February 2015 in basic primary schools, basic middle schools and basic high schools in urban and rural area of Yangon, Mandalay, Taungyi and Mawlamyaing. A total of (2937) Grade IV and Grade V students were measured for weight, height and 592 students were measured for haemoglobin by standard equipment and standard procedure. Results: The overall prevalences of stunting, wasting, overweight, obesity and anaemia were 8.8%, 15%, 4.6% and 3.1% and 36.1% respectively. The prevalences of stunting, over weight and obesity were more prevalent in boys and wasting and anaemia were more prevalent in girls. The result showed that the stunting was more prevalent in rural than in urban (7.5% in urban and 12.0% in rural). The prevalences of overweight and obesity were higher in urban than rural area (overweight 5.3% in urban and 2.8% in rural, obesity 3.8% in urban and 0.9% in rural). Children residing in urban area had higher anthropometric parameter than rural children. Conclusion: The present study observed the coexistence of obesity, overweight and undernourishment (wasting and stunting) among Myanmar School children.The findings highlighted the need for continued health promotion efforts to improve nutritional status of primary school children.

Impact of nutritional education on knowledge,attitude and practice regarding anemia among school children in Belgaum,India

Background:Anemia is a common public health problem throughout the globe with its main effect not only on health of people but also impact on socioeconomic development.A high prevalence of anemia among school children is an indication of a severe problem highlighting the necessity of proper action to prevent further deterioration.This study sought to study the impact of nutritional education on knowledge,attitude,and practice regarding anemia among school children.Methods:This is an interventional study among school children of Kendriye Vidyalaya,No.2 Belgaum district,India.Structured and self-administered questionnaires were used to know the knowledge,attitude and practice of student anemia.The data were analyzed using paired t-test and McNemar test.Results:There was significant increment in the mean knowledge and attitude scores of the school children at the post-test evaluation.Overall increase of 51.2%in mean score of knowledge and overall increase of 20.7%in mean score of attitudes was found(P<0.05).Increase in frequency of consumption pattern of iron rich foods especially ragi,jaggery,green leafy vegetables and sprouted grains was reported.Conclusion:The nutritional education resulted in improvement of knowledge and change in attitude regarding anemia as well as increase in consumption of foods rich in Iron.Therefore,nutritional education is one of the cost-effective and sustainable method for lowering the cases of anemia.

Associations between near work, outdoor activity, parental myopia and myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria

●AIM:To assess the influence of near work,time outdoor and parental myopia on the prevalence of myopia in school children in Aba,Nigeria.●METHODS:Primary and secondary school children aged between 8 and 15 y were randomly recruited from 12 schools in Aba.Information on family history,near work and outdoor activity was obtained using myopia risk factor questionnaire.Cycloplegic refraction was performed using autorefraction technique.Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction(SER)≤-0.50 D in the poorer eye.Data were analysed for 1197(male:538 and female:659)children with full relevant data.●RESULTS:Risk of developing myopia was positively associated with parental myopia[odds ratio(OR):6.80;95%CI,2.76-16.74;P<0.01)for one myopic parent and(OR:9.47;95%CI,3.88-23.13;P<0.01)for two myopic parents,longer daily reading hour(OR:1.21;95%CI,1.03-1.42;P=0.02)and less time outdoors(OR:0.8;95%CI,0.74-0.87;P<0.01).●CONCLUSION:Parental history of myopia is the most important risk factor associated with myopia.In addition,children with both parents being myopic has increased odds of developing myopia than those with one myopic parent.It is recommended therefore,that children spend more time outdoors as this could reduce the prevalence and progression of myopia.

Tendency for Evolution of High Myopia in 308 Chinese School Children from Xi'an City

Purpose: To observe the refractive status, especially the tendency for evolution of high myopia, in eyes of Chinese school children from Xi’an city.Methods: The study was conducted in 11514 eyes of the 5757students aged between 7~18 years in Xi’an city primary and high schools. The inclusion criterion was >-6D of the spherical equivalent refraction. The object ophthalmic examinations were done, included non-cycloplegic objective refraction, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, fundus evaluation by ophthalmologists and nurses with professional training. Specially designed questionnaires were filled in and the data were statistically analyzed with SPSS10.0.Results: Of 11514 eyes, the detection rate was 81.4%(9376eyes) for myopia and 5.3%(615 eyes) for high myopia. High myopia was found in 2.6%.(300 eyes).of right eyes, 2.7%(315 eyes) in left eyes, and 2.4%(275 eyes) were in boys and 2.9%(340 eyes) in girls. Among 12 school grades, the detection rates of high myopia increased significantly with student age, with 0.9% in the 1stgrade of primary school and12.5% in the 3rd year of senior middle school. The average refractive error of spherical equivalent refraction was(-7.43±1.29) D with 95% confidence interval(-7.54,-7.33). No significant differences were found between the right and left eyes or both genders. The distribution of myopic severity was lowest(-6D).in primary school students younger than 12 years,was higher(-8D) in junior middle school students older than13 years, and highest(-13D) in senior middle school students.Conclusion: A continuous growth was evident in the severity of high myopia throughout 12 years of primary and middle school except for the first year of primary school, with growth occurring in two transitional stages between the senior primary and junior middle school years, and between the junior and senior middle school years. The distribution of high myopia was lowest, at-6D, in primary school, increased to-8D in junior middle school, and progressed to-10D in senior middle school, indicating a high risk of development of pathologic myopia during the students’ later lifespan. The adolescent period of 13 to 18 years of age in middle school is a critical period for the development of pathological myopia over-8D.

Overweight and obesity among public and private primary school children in Nairobi, Kenya

Obesity is on the rise in developing countries, especially in urban areas. In this study, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two divisions in Nairobi province to determine the prevalence of and some risk factors associated with overweight and obesity among school children in Nairobi, Kenya. It involved 344 school children aged 9-14 years drawn from four randomly selected public and private primary schools. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated. Nutrition status was determined using the World Health Organization age and gender specific BMI-for-age Z-scores (BAZ). The chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between overweight/obesity and selected socio-demographic characteristics. Complete anthropometric measurements were available for 321 children. Prevalence of combined overweight and obesity (BAZ > +1SD) was 19.0%, with prevalence being higher among girls (21.0%) than boys (16.9%) (p = 0.632). The prevalence among children in private schools was significantly higher (29.0%) than among those in public schools (11.5%) (p = 0.000). In addition, being a single child (p = 0.020), birth order (p = 0.017), mother’s occupation (p = 0.023) and type of residence (p = 0.028) were positively associated with overweight/obesity. The prevalence of overweight/obesity determined in this study is high and is a public health concern, with girls particularly at risk of becoming overweight.

Prevalence and co-infections of schistosomiasis/hepatitis B and C viruses among school children in an endemic areas in Taiz,Yemen

Objective:To determine the disease prevalence and its relationship with hepatitis B and C viruses among school children in five endemic areas by schistosomiasis.Methods:During June 2007 and March 2009,1 484 school children aged between 5-16 years participated in the current study from 32 basic schools in five districts(Al-Dhabab,Hedran,Warazan,Al-Barh and Al-Shmaytin) in Taiz Governorate,Republic of Yemen.Out of school children who participated in the study;1 406 stool samples,1 484 urine samples and 214 blood samples were collected and examined.Results:Schistosoma mansoni(S.mansoni) was found in all the studied areas except Al-Barh.However,Schistosoma haematobium(S.haematobium) was recorded only in Al-Shmaytin and Al-Barh.Both S.mansoni and S.haematobium were observed in Al-Shmaytin district.The overall prevalence was 20.76%for S.mansoni and 7.41%for S.haematobium. The prevalence rate of infection among males was higher than females,shwing no significant differences.Rate of light,moderate and heavy infections in the case of S.mansoni were 41.78%, 25.34%and 32.87%respectively.Whereas,for S.hematobium it was 50.90%for light infection and 49.09%for heavy infection.Regarding to the prevalence of viral hepatitis among infected school children with schistosomiasis,it could be noticed that hepatitis B virus was higher than the prevalence of hepatitis C virus.But,the presence of HBsAg and anti-HCV was not associated with Schistosoma infection.Conclusions:Schistosomiasis infection is an important public health problem in Taiz Governorate,Republic of Yemen.There was a correlation between S. haematobium and hepatitis B,but no association between 5.mansoni infections and hepatitis B and C viruses.

Pattern of intestinal helminth infections among school children in an urban community in Ibadan,Nigeria

Despite a substantial reduction in the incidence and prevalence of parasitic diseases in the industrialized world, they continue to be an important public health problem in many developing African countries,including Nigeria. However,estimates of the prevalence of such infections among school age children,who bear the greatest health burden due to these diseases,are hard to come by.The objective of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence and type of intestinal helminth infections among primary school pupils.The study was cross-sectional in design.The participants included 266 pupils recruited from three government primary schools in the Mokola area of Ibadan,Nigeria.The pupils were interviewed and their stool samples examined for eggs of common helminths.The mean age of the pupils was 9.8±2.6 years,and 128(48.1%) were males.Nineteen pupils(7.1%) had intestinal helminth infestations.Ascaris lumbricoides was found in 17 pupils(6. 4%) and was the most prevalent helminth among the children,while Trichuris trichiura was found in only two subjects(0.8%).Previous infestations and the use of public toilets were found to be significantly associated with current infections(P【0.05).This study demonstrated that the prevalence of intestinal infections was low among the pupils studied,and that Ascaris infection was the commonest infestation.

Comparative analysis of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school children and rural farmers in Obollo-Eke,Enugu State,Nigeria:Implications for control

Objective:To determine the prevalence,sex-age related intensity of urinary schistosomiasis and to compare such parameters among rural school children and rural fanners in selected communities in Obollo-Eke located in Southeast,Nigeria.Methods:A cross-sectional survey involving 1 337 school children and farmers was conducted in Obollo-Eke community between September 2006 and July 2007.Demographic data of subjects was collected using a questionnaire prepared for this purpose.Urine samples were collected and examined for haematuria and ova of Schistosoma haematobium(S.haematobium) using Medi-test Combi 9 and sedimentation technique respectively.Results:The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis based on microscopic examination of the urine sediment for the ova of 5.haematobium was 17.5%while the prevalence of haematuria was 15.6%.Infection intensity varied from light to heavy.In general,the prevalence was higher among males(20.8%) than females(14.6%;P】0.05) and was slightly higher among primary school children(18.0%;n=762) than farmers(16.9%;n=575;P】0.05).The age-specific prevalence of schistosomiasis among the study subjects ranged from 8.3%to 21.2%in 0-5 years and 11-15 years age groups respectively.Conclusions:Haematuria and mean egg/10 mL urine (r = 0.95;P【0.01) showed that both procedures are reliable for the diagnosis of the disease and can be used to ascertain the prevalence of the disease in any community.The comparative analysis of urinary bilharziasis among primary school children and rural farmers demonstrated that the infection is moderately high in these two risk population groups at Obollo-Eke.A robust intervention strategy is clearly needed.

Nutritional Status and Dietary Habits of School Children in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt

Objectives: Childhood malnutrition is a major concern in developing countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the nutritional status and dietary habits of school children. Methods: This is a community based cross-sectional survey designed to evaluate nutritional status of students aged (5 - 19 years) in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt, during September-December 2013. A two-stage sampling technique was done;22 government schools were selected in the first stage. In the second stage, 1100 students were selected from the target population of the study. Weight, height, and age data were used to calculate z-scores of the three different nutritional indicators. Dietary habits were studied using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Underweight (WAZ +2SD). Boys were more underweight (3%) than girls (2.2%). Conversely, girls tend to be more stunted (65.3%) compared to boys (59.9%) in the age group 10 - 14 years. Identified risk factors associated with malnutrition for those aged more than 10 years were: mother education (P-value = 0.03), father education (P-value = 0.04) and family size (P-value = 0.014). Conclusion and Recommendations: Child’s nutritional status is strongly associated with the literacy of both parents and family size. The prevalence of malnutrition can be reduced by implementation of school intervention programs for the socioeconomic development.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Assessment of Intestinal Parasitic Infection among School Children in Asmara, Eritrea

Purpose: Poor hygiene practice, inadequate sanitary conditions and lack of awareness of correct mode of transmission are some factors that attribute to high intestinal parasitic infection among children. Therefore, having proper knowledge, good attitude and practice (KAP) against the aforementioned factors can significantly mitigate the spreading of intestinal infection. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study which comprised of 127 students who were selected by stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was used to record KAP of students against intestinal parasitic infection. Total 126 students gave stool samples which were analysed by formol-ether concentration technique. In addition, sewage samples were also collected and analysed for any parasitic load. Statistical data were generated by Chi-square test. Results: A total of 126 stool samples were examined in the study of which 46 (36.50%) were found infected with one or more intestinal parasites. Among the parasites identified, the most common was Hymenolepsis nana with a prevalence rate of 35 (76.0%). Here, most of the students 96 (76.1%) were having poor knowledge about the correct mode of transmission of intestinal parasites. Majority of the students 91 (72.2%) practicing defecation in open air when they are at home, and all 126 (100%) are doing that at school, and significant number of students were not washing hands after defecation. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge regarding mode of transmission and practice of defecation in open air and not washing hands after defecation are issues of great concern, because many parasitic infection have faecal-oral mode of transmission. So, health authorities have to take these issues seriously and action would be vital to resolve it.

The Association of PM2.5 and Surface Ozone with Asthma Prevalence among School Children in Japan: 2006-2009

Researches on asthma have found that air pollution increased asthma prevalence among sensitive age groups, including school children, and exposed them to the recognized health impacts. The aim of this study is to examine the association between elevated annual mean concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) and surface ozone and asthma prevalence among school children in Japan from 2006 to 2009. Annual rates of asthma prevalence among preschool and school children (5 to 11 years) are obtained from the database of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology—Japan (MEXT). Data on the concentrations of PM2.5 and surface ozone were obtained from 1,183 stations of air quality monitoring distributed in 47 prefectures. Annual means of these concentrations were compared to annual variations in asthma prevalence by using Pearson correlation coefficient. We found different associations between the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 and surface ozone and the annual rates of asthma prevalence among preschool and school children from 2006 to 2009. The positive values of the correlation coefficient in prefectures such as, Gumma, Shimane, and Niigata, are consistent with the previous knowledge. However, significant inverse associations were found in many prefectures. Our study suggests that the association between elevated concentrations of PM2.5 and surface ozone and asthma prevalence among school children in Japan is not strong enough to assume concretely a plausible and significant association.

Self Ear Cleaning: Prevalence and Profile among School Children in Ekiti, Nigeria

Background: Self-cleaning of ears with different objects is a common practice among school children with scanty report in literature. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and profile of self-ear cleaning among school children. Methods: It was a cross-sectional institutional-based study which was carried out among school children in Ekiti, south western Nigeria from January 2017, to March 2017. Results: A total of 174 students participated in this study. Their age ranged between 13 and 17 years. The highest number of participant was found at the age of 15 years. One hundred and eighteen (67.8%) of them had carried out self ear cleaning. Personal hygiene was the commonest reason for self ear cleaning in 28.8% of the students. Cotton buds were mostly used by the respondents in 51.7% of them. Injury to the external auditory canal (EAC) was the most recorded complications. Conclusion: The outcome of this study shows that self-ear cleaning practices were common among school children with a prevalence of 67.8%. Cotton buds were the commonest objects used. Avoidable complications were reported among respondents. There is a need to intensify efforts on public enlightenment programme and the establishment of school health programme in our various schools.

Outbreak Information Delivery to Families with (Pre)School Children and Its Contribution

Background: Infection transmission among them occurs easily and sometimes causes outbreaks at facilities where children live in groups. Early response is necessary for infection control measures to avoid larger clusters. In Japan, (Nursery) School Absenteeism Surveillance System ((N)SASSy), which is a kind of school absenteeism surveillance, has activated since 2007 and covers about 60% of all schools and 40% of all nursery schools in 2017. Objective: The objective of the present paper is investigation and demonstration of how caregivers receive information related to infectious diseases in Japan and how (N)SASSy contributes health of children. Method: We randomly selected subjects with children by pre-fecture in October, 2017. The survey questionnaire asked background information and information about infectious diseases to maintain health in children. We regressed health concern variables on background information and information provision situation about community outbreaks using weighted logistic regression. Results: We received responses from 1172 people. Estimation results showed higher concern about a facility providing information about community outbreak. Caregivers whose children attend facilities provided about community outbreak or covered (N)SASSy significantly higher opportunity to arrange a schedule when a child has a high fever. Discussion: The obtained results demonstrated that activation in (N)SASSy affects the possibility of arranging a schedule when a child has a high fever. This capability might improve community health.

Iron, Zinc, and Copper Malnutrition among Primary School Children in Lagos, Niagara

This study assessed the iron, zinc and copper status of primary school-attending children in Lagos. A sample of 200 primary School-attending children was randomly selected using a stratified 2 – stage sampling technique. Data was collected in the 2 major seasons in Nigeria;Dry and Rainy seasons using dietary intake (24 hr dietary recall protocol) venipuncture blood samples, and a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Among ages 5 - 8 years, the main dietary intake for iron was 10.66 ± 12.44 mg/d (106% of DRI), for zinc, 7.30 ± 7.39 mg/d (92% of DRI) and for copper, 1.55 ± 1.31 mg/d (390% of DRI). For ages 9 - 13 yrs, the mean intake of micronutrients showed that iron was 11.03 ± 12.72 mg/d (138% of DRI), 3inc was 8.44 ± 7.7 mg/d (105% of DRI) and copper was 3.75 ± 15.17 mg/d (536% of DRI). Biochemical results indicated that 19.8% of the subjects had inadequate serum iron, 21% and 32.1% were zinc and copper deficient respectively prevalence of anemia was 38.1% while iron deficiency anemia was 13.06% and iron deficiency was 34.6%. Dietary intakes did not provide right amounts of micronutrients to meet body requirements. There is the need to formulate and implement nutrition education programs to correct micronutrient deficiency among primary school-attending children in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Effect of the Family’s Socioeconomic Factors on Nutrition of Elementary School Children

Introduction: Anthropometric indices are used for assessing the nutrition status of people and societies. The indices determine the growth of the child’s nutrition status, his socioeconomic status and his quality of life. This research aims to study the anthropometric indices of elementary school children in the Iranian city of Piranshahr using the Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference in the first six months of 2011. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 1803 students aged between 7 and 11 in Piranshahr were studied. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used. The research setting was an elementary school in Piranshahr. Demographic data were collected through interviews and record in questionnaires. A Secca stadiometer was used to measure the height of each student standing without shoes (accuracy of 0.1 centimeter). The weight was measured using a spring scale with an accuracy of 0.1 kilogram with the least possible clothes on. The weight was divided by the square of height (square meter) to calculate BMI. To determine overweight and obesity, BMI percentiles of Center for Disease Control (CDC) were used. In order to use appropriate tests, the normality and equality of variances were measured by Leven and K-S tests, respectively. Results: The study found that 231 children (12.8%) were at risk of overweight and 96 children (5.3%) were overweight. Conclusion: There was a meaningful difference between boys and girls in terms of nutrition status of BMI, father’s higher education level, shortness, abdominal obesity and family history of obesity, and father’s jobs