Prevalence and risk factors for parasitic infections among internally displaced persons in the North-Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Internally displaced Persons (IDPs) are exceptionally vulnerable to parasitic infections due to the poor sanitary and socioeconomic conditions of IDPs camps and IDPs host communities, where most IDPs live.

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the prevalence, intensity and risk factors for parasitic infections among IDPs in Benue and Nasarawa States, Nigeria.

METHODS

A total of 403 participants were randomly selected for the study. Stool, urine and blood samples were collected from each participant. Qualitative data were collected via interview-based questionnaires. Parasites from collected samples were identified via microscopy. The data were analysed using SPSS, and P values less than 0.05 were considered significant in all analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 403 participants, 309 (76.7%) were infected with at least one parasitic infection as follows: Plasmodium falciparum (40.5%), Schistosoma haematobium (23.0%), Hookworms (22.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (21.1%), Entamoeba histolytica (20.8%), Giardia lamblia (9.4%) and Schistosoma mansoni (6.0%). The mean intensities of P. falciparum and S. haematobium were 1344 ± 311.3 parasites/µL of blood and 15.4 ± 2.8 eggs/10 mL of urine, respectively. The mean intensities of A. lumbricoides, hookworm, E. histolytica, Giardia lamblia and S. mansoni infections were 40.8 (epg), 29.0 (epg), 22.0 (cpg), 9.0 (cpg), and 3.3 (epg), respectively. Risk factors for parasitic infections were identified as water contact activities (aORs: 2.8; 95% CI: 2.2–3.6), non-use of long-lasting treated networks (aORs: 3.3; 95% CI: 2.1–5.7), and walking barefoot (aORs of 2.9; 95% CI: 2.1–3.8). The knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of the IDPs in relation to parasitic infections were poor.

CONCLUSIONS

Parasitic infections were highly prevalent among the IDPs in North Central Nigeria; however, the intensity of infections was low. Risk factors for parasitic infection were present in the IDP camp and host communities. Moreover, the IDPs had poor KAPs for parasitic infections. Sustained health education and deworming campaigns, and the provision and maintenance of basic Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities are recommended. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.