• Emmanuel Msugh Mbaawuaga
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi, Nigeria
  




• Mercy Mngohol Iormough
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi, Nigeria
  




• Paul Ejeh Ogwuche
  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria
  

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 consented children rn1-14 years old to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic rninfections and nutritional status of children under 5 years in Internally rnDisplaced Persons (IDP) camps in Guma and Makurdi, Benue State, rnNigeria. Stool samples were analyzed using formol ether rnconcentration technique for presence of intestinal parasite. rnAnthropometric indices were taken and z scores were calculated using rnWHO growth standards in other to determine prevalence of wasting, rnstunting and underweight. Overall, prevalence of intestinal parasite rninfection in children 1 – 14 years was 28.8%. The intestinal parasites rnencountered were; Entamoeba histolytica (57.1%), Hookworm rnspecies (26.2%), Taenia species (15.0%), Enterobius vermicularis rn(0.8%) and Schistosoma mansoni (0.8%). Infection was significantly rnhigher in children living in IDP camps (P = 0.048), children who were rnnot dewormed (P< 0.001) and children observed without foot wear (P rn< 0.001). Wasting was recorded in 32.3% of children under 5 years, rnwhile prevalence of stunting and underweight was 9.0% and13.5% rnrespectively. Wasting was more pronounced (P= 0.010) in children 3-5 rnyears old (32.4%) than those of 1 – 2 years (9.1%) and was rnsignificantly different among the camps investigated (P = 0.003). rnConversely, 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 rnstudy could not associate very high malnutrition in this study with rnprevalence of intestinal parasite infections. Hence, there is need for rnGovernment to improve food security among these IDP camps and rnintensify efforts for IDP`s return to their ancestral homes.