Assessment of the burden of Giardia infection and its associated risk factors among children resident in internally displaced persons camps in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study

Background: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis infection and identify
potential risk factors in a healthy population of children living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, in
Mogadishu, Somalia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among children living in Deyniile and Kahda
IDP settlements, Mogadishu. A total of 334 children were randomly selected for stool sample collection and a
questionnaire was administered. Giardia infection was diagnosed by antigen detection using a rapid detection
kit.
Results: The results showed that 32 of the 334 children were positive, giving an overall prevalence of 9.6%.
We also found that 196 (58.7%) of the children did not wear footwear, and that a majority of the members of
the household (308; 92.2%) practiced open defecation. The regression analysis revealed that children aged <5
y (p=0.002), households in the Kahda IDP camp (p=0.019) and families with >5 members in their households
(p=0.034) all have a significantly higher risk of becoming infected with Giardia.

Conclusion: The study found that giardiasis persists in the IDP camps. Many of the risk factors were associated
with giardiasis, highlighting the significance of parents’ education and sanitation conditions in the children’s
well-being.