Avaliação nutricional, anemia e helmintoses em área endêmica de Minas Gerais

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between helminthiasis, nutritional status and anemia in a group of 212 children and adolescents from 2 to 17 years old living in an endemic area in the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais. The prevalence of schistosomiasiswas 75,9% and the geometric mean egg count per gram of feces (epg) was 128,82 (CI 95% = 100,92-148,53). The prevalence of hookworm was 22,2% with a geometric mean egg count of 93,32 epg (CI 95% = 53,70-158,48). Only two individuals (0,9%) were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides.The prevalence of anemia was 13,3% and was significantly associated with age group, no latrine in the house, family income and chronic malnutrition. No statistical association was found between helminthiasis and anemia. The prevalence of acute malnutrition was 6,1% and of chronic malnutrition was 29,7%. No electricity, no latrine in the house and the hookworm intensity of infection were associated with chronic malnutrition. In the multivariable analysis anemia remained significantly related to age group, family income and chronic malnutrition. Only children that lived with families that had no electricity in the house were significantly associated with chronic malnutrition. We concluded that helmintoses were not a risk factor for anemia and malnutrition but smaller children with chronic malnutrition that lived with families with low income had a higher chance to get anemia.