[Correlation between soil-transmitted nematode infections and children's growth].

Objective To understand the infection status of soil-transmitted nematodes in southwest China and the correla tion between soil-transmitted nematode infections and children’s growth.Methods The prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections was determined by Kato-Katz technique,and in part of the children,the examination of Enterobius vermicularis eggs was performed by using the cellophane swab method.The influencing factors were surveyed by using a standardized questionnaire.The relationship between soil-transmitted nematode infections and children’s growth was analyzed by the ordinary least square(OLS)method.Results A total of 1 707 children were examined,with a soil-transmitted nematode infection rate of 22.2%.The results of OLS analysis showed that there existed the negative correlation between soil-transmitted nematode infections and the in dexes of children’s growth including BMI,the weight-for-age Z score and height-for-age Z score.Furthermore,other correlated variables included the age,gender,educational level of mother and raising livestock and poultry,etc.Conclusions Children’s retardation is still a serious issue in the southwest poor areas of China and correlated with the infections of soil-transmitted nema todes.For improving children’s growth,it is greatly significant to enhance the deworming and health education about parasitic dis eases in mothers.