Pattern of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Malnourished Children in Somalia

Children living in conflict zones plagued with adverse climatic conditions often suffer from acute malnutrition. Being coinfected with intestinal parasites could worsen the prognosis if adequate interventions were not promptly instituted. We determined the pattern of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among acutely malnourished children in the Bay and Banadir regions, of Somalia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2023, among 222 acutely malnourished children aged 6-59 months, using a structured questionnaire and stool examination by a trained laboratorian. The prevalence of IPI was estimated and the pattern of IPI was explored. The relationship between the presence of IPI and demographic characteristics was examined with multiple logistic regression at a 95% level of confidence. The mean age was 20.4 ± 12.3 months, 125 (56.3%) were females, and 41.9% were internally displaced. The prevalence of IPI was 82.9% (95%CI: 77.4 – 87.3), Among the infected, 73.9% (136/184) had single, and 23.4% (43/184) had double parasitic infections. Ascaris lumbricoides (46.6%), Giardia lamblia (22.1%), and Entamoeba histolytica (17.6%) were the commonest parasites identified. Age of 13-36 months (AOR: 1.13, P=0.02) and eating once a day (AOR: 1.13, P=0.06) were associated with being infected with intestinal parasites. prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was high among malnourished children in the Bay and Banadir regions. Deworming should be extended to all malnourished children. Food, sanitation and water provision initiatives should be improved at the community level.