Evidence of reduced academic performance among school children with helminth infection independent of nutritional status

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Abstract Background Soil transmitted helminths (STH) pose a formidable health risk to school-age children in resource-limited settings. Unfortunately, mass deworming campaigns have been derailed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study assessed the cross-sectional associations between STH, nutritional status and academic performance of school children in the Banda District of Ghana. Methods School children (5–16 years) (n=275) were recruited through both school and household visits by community health workers using a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. Weight and height measurements were taken for anthropometry, as well as stool microscopy. Results Prevalence of geo-helminthiasis was 40.4% (95% CI: 34.6% - 46.2%). STH targeted for elimination by the world health organizations and national programmes were detected among school children. Children with intestinal parasite infection (53.7±11.5) had lower mean academic scores compared to uninfected children (59.6±16.9) (p=0.034). In multiple regression, intestinal parasite infection status and z-scores for weight-for-age showed a collective significant effect on academic score (F (1,117) =8.169, p<0.001, R2=.125). Conclusion School children with STH had poorer academic performance compared to uninfected children, in spite of their nutritional status. In addition to school-feeding programmes, school-based mass drug administration campaigns may be critical for improving learning outcomes in young school children.

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