Comprehensive Epidemiological Study and Temporal Distribution of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Refugee Camps, Eastern Chad (2020–2024)

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) represent a major global public health burden, which is significantly amplified in refugee settings due to inadequate sanitation and limited access to clean water sources. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the epidemiology and track the temporal distribution of IPIs in refugee camps located in Ouaddaï State, Eastern Chad, to provide reliable data for informing health interventions. This descriptive cross-sectional study spanned 51 months, from October 2020 to December 2024. A total of 4,023 stool samples collected from the refugee population were examined using direct microscopy and the Formalin-Ether Concentration technique for the identification and classification of parasite species. The results showed that the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 36.17%. Protozoa were the predominant group identified, accounting for 79.65% of the total infections, significantly surpassing helminth prevalence. The most frequently isolated parasites were Entamoeba coli (32.55%) and Entamoeba histolytica (21.16%). Furthermore, temporal analysis revealed that the overall prevalence rate reached its peak in 2020 (55.79%), suggesting a notable influence of seasonal patterns or changing environmental factors. The high burden of IPIs in Ouaddaï refugee camps underscores the critical and urgent need for immediate and sustained environmental health interventions, particularly focusing on improving drinking water quality and enhancing general hygiene to mitigate the transmission of Protozoa, which constitute the majority of the infectious burden in this vulnerable setting.