Helminth Infections and Nutritional Status of Nursery School Children in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria

Helminth infections in early childhood are closely linked to protein-energy malnutrition and impaired physical development, representing a dual burden on child health in rural Nigeria. This study examined the relationship between helminth infections and nutritional status among nursery school children aged 3 to 6 years in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty stool samples were processed using formal-ether concentration and Kato-Katz techniques. Anthropometric measurements including weight-for-age, height-for-age, and mid-upper arm circumference were recorded and compared against WHO growth standards. Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant helminth identified at 38.6 percent prevalence, followed by Trichuris trichiura. Children infected with two or more helminth species showed significantly lower weight-for-age and height-for-age Z-scores, indicating combined stunting and underweight. Mothers' educational level and household income were identified as significant protective factors against infection. The findings support the need for integrated child nutrition and deworming interventions coordinated within early childhood development programmes in Northwest Nigeria. Policy implications include the extension of school feeding to nursery level with concurrent preventive chemotherapy administration. Keywords: helminths, malnutrition, nursery school children, Sokoto State, anthropometric indices.