Anaemia and organomegaly associated with parasitic infections among schoolchildren in Sengerema District, north-western Tanzania

Abstract

Anaemia and organomegaly are among the health problems affecting schoolchildren in Tanzania and their causes are multifactorial. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia and organomegaly and their relationship with single and multiple parasitic infections among schoolchildren in Sengerema District in north-west Tanzania. This cross sectional study involved 400 schoolchildren. Anaemia and organomegaly were determined using HemoCue photometer and clinical palpation, respectively. A Kato-Katz technique was employed to screen faecal samples for Schistosoma mansoni and other intestinal helminths. Giemsa stained thick and thin blood smears were examined for malaria parasites. The prevalence of anaemia was 19.5% (