Abstract:
This study was undertaken with the object of obtaining valid data on bio-physical
characteristics of a university population at entry,and relate these finding to their untritional
status.The survey included the collection of data relared to their socio-economic background
and the determination of the prevalence of defects and abnormalities of organ systems.The
most common clinical signs were dental caries,goitre amd pallo.Caries was unifromerly
distributed in the population goitre was related to area of residence.The anthropometic
aprameters of height :weight and weight: height ratio was low compared to data available
from developed countries.The medical students,a high proportion of whom were from
'urban' areas and from a higher socio-economic background, had better anthropometric
parameters than students from the other faculties,the worse affected being the arts
students.There was a high prevalence rate of anaemia, dental caries and goitre among the
study population.Preventive measures should be adopted to reduce the incidence of
anaemia.
