Assessment of Intestinal Parasite and Nutritional Status of Children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Guma and Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors
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Emmanuel Msugh Mbaawuaga
Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi, Nigeria
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Mercy Mngohol Iormough
Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi, Nigeria
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Paul Ejeh Ogwuche
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 consented children 1-14 years old to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and nutritional status of children under 5 years in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Guma and Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Stool samples were analyzed using formol ether concentration technique for presence of intestinal parasite. Anthropometric indices were taken and z scores were calculated using WHO growth standards in other to determine prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight. Overall, prevalence of intestinal parasite infection in children 1 – 14 years was 28.8%. The intestinal parasites encountered were; Entamoeba histolytica (57.1%), Hookworm species (26.2%), Taenia species (15.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.8%) and Schistosoma mansoni (0.8%). Infection was significantly higher in children living in IDP camps (P = 0.048), children who were not dewormed (P< 0.001) and children observed without foot wear (P < 0.001). Wasting was recorded in 32.3% of children under 5 years, while prevalence of stunting and underweight was 9.0% and13.5% respectively. Wasting was more pronounced (P= 0.010) in children 3-5 years old (32.4%) than those of 1 – 2 years (9.1%) and was significantly different among the camps investigated (P = 0.003). Conversely, stunting was significantly higher (P = 0.006) in children 1 – 2 years of age (27.3%) than those within the ages of 3 – 5 (6.0%). The study could not associate very high malnutrition in this study with prevalence of intestinal parasite infections. Hence, there is need for Government to improve food security among these IDP camps and intensify efforts for IDP`s return to their ancestral homes.
Keywords: Intestinal parasite, Nutritional status, Children, IDP camps.