Association between soil-transmitted helminthiasis and hemoglobin concentration in primary school children

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ABSTRACT: To determine the association between intestinal helminthiasis and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and to observe the effect of single dose albendazole treatment on Hb concentration.
Methods An experimental study was carried out from March to July 2002 on primary school children at Suka Village, Tiga Panah Subdistrict, Karo Regency, North Sumatera Province. From 366 children who suffered from helminthiasis, 113 were selected as subjects by simple random sampling. Subjects were treated with a single oral dose of 400 mg albendazole. Hb concentration was examined using the cyanide method twice i.e., prior to and three months after treatment with albendazole.
Results It was found that among 113 subjects, the prevalences of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and mixed infestation were 18.3%, 40.4%, and 41.3%, respectively, while the prevalence of anemia was 33.0%. There was no significant difference in age, gender, nutritional status, and mean Hb concentration between children suffering from the different types of worm infestation ( P>0.05). For each type of infestation, there were significant differences in mean Hb concentration and anemia prevalence before and after treatment ( P<0.05).
Conclusions There was no difference between the Hb concentrations of children suffering from Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and mixed-type worm infestations. Single dose 400 mg albendazole was beneficial in increasing Hb concentration and reducing the occurrence of anemia.
Keywords: helminthiasis, Hb concentration, albendazole treatment, anemia
Author: Rita Angraini, MD; Y Dimyati, MD Bidasari Lubis, MD; Syahril Pasaribu, MD; Chairuddin P Lubis, MD
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg050057

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Jp Kedokteran gg 2005