© 1984 by Oxford University Press
research-article |
Some Hematological Findings in Children of Western Samoa
*Department of Anthropology, California State University Fullerton, CA 92634
**Department of Mathematics, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, CA 91768
A hematological study was conducted of 266 children living in several villages of Western Samoa.More than 60 per cent of the children were found to be below generally accepted normal levels in hemoglobin and packed cell volume accompanied by high rates of red blood cell dyscrasias. Leucocyte differentials disclosed widespread eosinophilia. The various negative findings appear to be related to age, sex, and village of residence. Various cultural practices and environmental factors are seen as contributing to the conditions observed.
This study indicates that the children in Western Samoa begin to experience problems related to anemia at a very early age. Although weight increments generally are within desirable ranges, other factors are intervening to produce health problems. These problems appear to be related to cultural practices including reliance on a diet which is low in protein and, furthermore, is hierarchically distributed without sufficient attention to the special needs of growing children. Also, as the children grow older, they experience greater exposure to environmental hazards such as the widely prevalent intestinal parasites.
There is little likelihood that eradication of the intestinal parasite problem can become a reality short of the introduction of modern water and sewage treatment throughout village communities. On the other hand there are indications that modest modifications in certain relevant practices could produce definite improvement in the health of the children.