Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Orphanage Children in Oyo State, South West Nigeria

Children residing in orphanages and residential care facilities face elevated risks of intestinal parasitic infections owing to communal living, shared sanitation facilities, and limited individual health supervision. This study determines the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among children residing in orphanages in Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was employed, targeting 250 children aged 2 to 16 years from eight registered orphanage facilities in Ibadan, Ogbomosho, and Oyo town. Fresh stool samples were examined using direct wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques, while Giemsa and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining were employed for protozoan identification. Facility directors and caregivers completed structured questionnaires covering hygiene standards, water source, deworming frequency, toilet access, and food preparation practices. Expected parasites include Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Trichuris trichiura. Evidence from 2020 to 2024 identifies orphanages in southwestern Nigeria as high-transmission environments for parasitic infections, with infrequent deworming and overcrowding as the most significant predictors. This study will produce facility-level prevalence data and identify institutional risk factors amenable to administrative improvement. Findings will be communicated to the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, and to orphanage proprietors for institutional action. Keywords: intestinal parasites, orphanage children, Oyo State, institutional care, deworming.