Resource Page

SERUM ZINC AND SELENIUM LEVELS OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS AGED 6 TO 12 YEARS IN OGBOMOSO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Email:
Supervisor: Dr. M O Onigbinde and Professor Ayodele Ojuawo
Faculty: PAEDIATRICS
Month: 11
Year: 2019

Abstract

Malnutrition is still prevalent in developing countries with micronutrient deficiencies on the increase. School age children are at an increased risk of micronutrient deficiency owing to increased energy expenditure, decreased meal frequency, reduced maternal attention and parasitic infestations. Zinc and selenium play important role in many biologic and immunologic processes in the body, low levels of which are associated with growth failure, increased susceptibility to various forms of diseases, cognitive decline and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The present study aims at determining the serum zinc and selenium levels of primary school children in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area (LGA). Children aged 6 to 12 years old were recruited from registered public and private primary schools in Ogbomoso North LGA. A semi-structured questionnaire designed for the study was used to obtain relevant data. Each recruited pupil was examined clinically for sign of either zinc or selenium deficiency. Serum zinc and selenium levels were estimated using ELISA kits, while total protein and albumin were by colorimetry methods. Means of continuous variables were obtained. Distribution of serum zinc and selenium in participants were checked using boxplot. The distributions were not normally distributed, therefore log transformation of zinc and selenium values were taken to impose normality. Student t-test and F test were used where suitable in comparison of zinc and selenium concentration across categorical variables. Chi-square test of independence was used to examine the association between level of selenium and zinc and each of socio-demographic variables and anthropometric indices. Pearson moment correlation was used to determine the correlation between zinc and selenium levels and the socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric indices of the study population.

© 2024 NPMCN, All Rights Reserved
Powered by: