ABSTRACT
This study was carried out from March to June, 2017 in order to identify multiparasitic infections (schistosoma, intestinal parasites and malaria) of internally displaced children, Benin City, Edo State. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) children were selected from the International Christian Center camp for Internally Displaced Persons located in Uhogua Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo state for the study. The faecal, urine and blood samples were collected and analyzed using direct smear method, sedimentation and thick film procedures respectively. A total of 184 children who submitted complete samples (blood, urine and faeces) representing 100% of the study population were found to be infected with multi-parasitic infection. Ten species of parasites were identified during the study, P. falciparum, E. histolytica, Giardia lambia, E. coli, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Hookworm, S. haematobium, Trichuris trichiura, and Isospora belli. Prevalence relating to class shows that E. histolytica is more widespread than the other infections, being found in all classes, with the highest prevalence recorded in primary 5 (88.89%) with primary 2 giving the least prevalence of 52.78%, statistically there was no significant difference between the classes (P-value = 0.99). P. falciparum compared with the other parasites reported above had the highest age- related prevalence, with ages 6-10 years recording the prevalence of (70.59%), with members of the population within ages 11-15years recording the prevalence of (67.66%). The high prevalence of multi-parasites in children living in international Christian Center camp for Internally Displaced Children located in Uhogua Community, Ovia North-east Local Government Area of Edo state could be due to favourable climate for the survival of the parasites. Inadequate potable water supply and low level of personal hygiene were observed as the major risk factors that enhances the transmission of the parasites.
