Original Research Article

Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Risk Factors among School Age Children in Refugee Camps in El-Fashir, North-Darfur

Afag M. Abdalla^1*, Mohamed A², Mahir E. Mohamed³, Mohamed Elfatih Abdelwadoud⁴, Ammar A Abdelmola⁵

¹M.Sc, Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medical Laboratory science, University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST), Khartoum, Sudan
²M.Sc, Medical Hematology Department, Faculty of Medical Laboratory science, University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST), Khartoum, Sudan
³Ass. Prof of Pediatrics, University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST), Khartoum, Sudan
⁴Ass. Prof, Histopathology and cytology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory science, University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST), Khartoum, Sudan
⁵Lecturer Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding Author E-mail: afogaamk@gmail.com
Tel: +249913608624

Received: 14 September 2022  I  Accepted: 16 October 2022  I  Published: 24 October 2022  I  Article ID: MRJMMS20172
Copyright © 2022 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Abstract

Intestinal parasites are the most prevalent infections causing significant morbidity and mortality in developing and tropical countries. Such infection occurs in rural areas where water supplies are not enough to drink and use, absence of environmental sanitation and when other wastes were increased, and sewage and wasted water are not properly treated. The high rates of prevalence in some communities are usually attributed to inadequate hygiene. The effective prevention and control of intestinal parasitic infections requires identification of local risk factors, particularly among high-risk groups. The Aim of This study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school age children in refugee's camps. Descriptive cross-sectional study design of 207 fecal specimens were collected in clean, wide-mouth plastic container with a tight fitting. Stool specimen containers placed in plastic bags when transported to the laboratory for testing. Fresh specimens were mandatory for the recovery of motile trophozoites (amebae, flagellates, or ciliates). The specimens placed in a 10% Formalin fixative. All stool samples were examined by direct wet mount preparation with saline iodine and sedimentation concentration methods. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 57%, the most predominant parasite was Giardia lamblia 44 (37.3%), followed by H. nana 23 (19.5%) and E. histolytica/ E. dispar 19 (16.1%). In addition to the Mixed infections by (G. lamblia and H. nana 17 (14.4%)), (G. lamblia and E. histolytica/ E. dispar 12 (10.2%)) and lastly (E. histolytica/ E. dispar and H. nana 3 (2.5%)), were this study showed higher prevalence among female 60 (50.8%) than male 58 (49.2%). Infection among females showed higher prevalence than in males. The most frequent parasite among those children was Giardia lamblia.

Keywords: El-Fashir, Intestinal Parasitic Infections, North-Darfur, Refugee Camps, Associated Risk Factors, School Age Children