Relationship between soil transmitted helminths, nutritional status and cognitive function among school children in Lusaka district, Zambia.

Abstract

Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) are among the Neglected Tropical Diseases and are responsible for helminth infections worldwide, particularly in school aged children. This study was aimed at investigating the association of STHs with nutritional status and cognitive impairment among school children. A single stool sample was collected from each child from March to September 2022 from three public and one community schools in Lusaka District. The 209 total collected samples were processed using the Kato Katz method. Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to determine nutritional status. The working memory and processing speed were used to assess cognitive function. Of the 209 collected samples, 10 (4.8%; 95%CI: 2.3-8.6) were positive for STHs. Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were common parasites identified; Taenia spp, Schistosoma mansoni and Strongyloides stercolaris were also identified, all with light infections. The prevalence of STHs was significantly higher in males (9.7%; 7/72) compared to females (2.2%; 3/137) (p = 0.021). Younger children (8-12 years) had a higher prevalence (p = 0.022). Soil Transmitted Helminth infection had no influence on working memory and processing speed (p = 0.604) and on Mathematics and English scores attained by the children. Infection status was also not associated with nutritional status. STHs are prevalent in children. Further large-scale studies are required to establish whether infection status has significant influence on BMI and cognitive function.