Background:

Intestinal parasite infection has a high frequency in developing countries. Predisposing factors and their consequences are still under debate.

Objective:

To examine the relationship between intestinal parasite infection and nutritional and cognitive development of school-aged children in an educational institution in the district of Minga Guazú, Paraguay.

Material and Methods:

Children of both sexes, aged 6 to 14 years from second to sixth grade of primary education, were included in the study. For the study of intestinal parasites, three techniques were used: direct in fresh, spontaneous sedimentation and flotation in sodium chloride. Data on predisposing factors (socio-demographic, economic, environmental, hygienic, knowledge and attitudes) were obtained through an interview to parents and/or guardians. Nutritional status was measured as the Body Mass Index (BMI), and general grade average was used for academic performance.

Results:

Out of 202 schoolchildren selected, 184 were included. The overall prevalence of parasites infection was 53%, slightly higher in girls (54%). Higher frequency of monoparasitosis (27.2%), and a lower frequency (6%) of helminthes were found. Giardia lamblia (35.3%) followed by Blastocystis hominis (33.7%) were the most frequent parasites. Hymenolepis nana (6%) was the only helminth species found. There was no association between parasite infection and nutritional status, however to worse school performance was found, general grade average was significantly lower in children with parasite infection (3.3 ± 1.1) as compared to the no parasitized counterparts (3.8 ± 1.0).

Conclusions:

Schoolchildren presented a high prevalence of parasite infection, which was associated with worse school performance.

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