Table 1.
Background characteristics and biochemical indices of the study participants
| Factor | Females (n = 65) | Males (n = 78) | P-value | Sexes combined (n = 143) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (n = 65) | (n = 78) | (n = 143) | ||
| Age distribution | n(%) | n(%) | ||
| 6 years | 13(20) | 14(18) | 27(19) | |
| 7 years | 4(6) | 11(14) | 15(10) | |
| 8 years | 9(14) | 10(13) | 19(13) | |
| 9 years | 5(8) | 8(10) | 13(9) | |
| 10 years | 5(8) | 8(10) | 13(9) | |
| 11 years | 9(14) | 7(9) | 16(11) | |
| 12 years | 20(31) | 20(26) | 40(28) | |
| Serum ferritin concentration (ng/ml) mean ± SD | 25.3 ± 16.3 | 22.6 ± 13.8 | 0.28 | 23.9 ± 15.0 |
| Prevalence of low iron store (serum ferritin concentration <30ng/ml)) (%) | 67.7 | 74.4 | 0.32 | 71.3 |
| Haemoglobin concentration (g/L) mean ± SD | 118 ± 9 | 121 ±12 | 0.9 | 120 ± 11 |
| Prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin concentration <120g/L) (%) | 41.5 | 21.8 | 0.01* | 30.8 |
| CRP concentration (ng/ml) mean ± SD | 44.6 ± 27.1 | 48.5 ± 29.0 | 0.51 | 46.7 ± 28.0 |
| Prevalence of high CRP levels >10ng/ml (%) | 100.0 | 91.8 | 95.7 | |
| Prevalence of malaria (%) | 66.2 | 69.2 | 67.8 | |
| Prevalence of hookworm (%) | 18.0 | 9.8 |
Cut off values: ferritin < 30ng/ml, haemoglobin < 115g/L for children below 12 years and 120g/L for children 12years and above; CRP = C-reactive protein. P-values obtained from independent t-test analysis.
*
Significant at p < 0.05.