The effect of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths on expressive language skills among African preschool children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) have been associated with compromised child development. We determined the effect of schistosomiasis and STH on expressive language skills among isiZulu speaking preschool children focusing on the variables: age, gender, school and stunting.

Methods

We quantitatively compared the performance of a cohort of infected and non-infected children using a 2 phased approach. In phase 1 infected children were treated with praziquantel and matched with non-infected children and both groups were tested for expressive language performance. In phase 2 both groups of children were re-tested for expressive language skills using a similar but modified test. The participants were 106 preschool children between the age of 4 and 6

SUBMITTER: Mazibuko XI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8931967 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature