A health and nutritional profile of rural school children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken to measure anthropom etric indices, micronutrient status and prevalence of parasite infections i n 579 rural South African primary school children. Eleven schools were sele cted randomly from a Magisterial District in southern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). In each school, all pupils aged between 8 and 10 years were selected. The f ollowing outcome measures were obtained: anthropometric-height for age, wei ght for age and body mass index; micronutrient status-anaemia, serum ferrit in and vitamin A; and prevalence of parasite infections-Ascaris lumbricoide s, Trichuris trichiura and Schistosoma haematobium. The observed prevalence s were: stunting 7.3%, underweight for age 0.7%, and obesity 3.1%; anaemia 16.5% (Hb<12 g/dl), vitamin A deficiency 34.7% (serum retinol <20 mug/dl) a nd 28.1% with reduced serum ferritin (<12 ng/ml); Trichuris trichiura 53.9% , Ascaris lumbricoides 27.3% and Schistosoma haematobium 24.5%. We conclude that micronutrient deficiency, parasitic infestations and stunting remain significant problems among school-aged children in South Africa. Micronutri ent supplementation and de-worming provide opportunities for school-based h ealth promotion and primary health care interventions, and might produce si gnificant health and educational benefits.