Parasitological profile and nutritional status of hospitalized children under five years of age in Koudougou, Burkina Faso

Background Intestinal parasitic infections remain a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the impact of intestinal parasitosis on the nutritional status of children under five years of age admitted to the pediatric department of the Koudougou Regional Hospital in Burkina Faso. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study between March and September 2023. Each child underwent direct stool examination and concentration techniques using both the Ritchie and Willis methods. Nutritional status and hematological parameters were also evaluated. Result A total of 384 children aged 1 to 58 months participated, with a mean age of 15 months and a male predominance (62.2%). Among them, 67 children tested positive for intestinal parasites, yielding an overall prevalence of 17.4% [13.6–21.2]. The identified species included Giardia intestinalis (28.4%), Entamoeba histolytica (20.9%), Trichomonas intestinalis (19.4%), Entamoeba coli (14.9%), Ancylostoma sp. (10.4%), and Taenia solium (6.0%). Regarding nutritional status, 76.04% [71.7–80.4] of the children were malnourished. No statistically significant association was found between intestinal parasitosis and malnutrition (p > 0.05). The prevalence of anemia was 81.5%, and a strong association was observed between intestinal parasitosis and anemia (p < 0.001). Malaria prevalence was 6.0%, and a statistically significant association was also noted between malaria and intestinal parasitic infections (p < 0.001). Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of improving hygiene practices and strengthening routine deworming strategies to enhance child health outcomes and reduce the burden of intestinal parasitic diseases.