Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasites among children under two years of age in a rural area of Rutsiro district, Rwanda – a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasite infections among children less than two years of age in Rutsiro, Rwanda. Methods A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted in Rutsiro in June 2016. Fresh stool samples were collected from 353 children and examined using microscopy to detect parasite. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on hygiene, sanitation, socio-demographic and economic characteristics. Results Approximately one in two children (44.8%) were found to be infected with at least one intestinal parasite. Ascaris (28.5%) was the most prevalent infection followed by Entamoeba histolytica (25.95%) and Giardia lamblia (19.6%). Infection with more than one pathogen was noted e.g. presence of Ascaris and yeasts (8.9%), and amoeba with Trichocephale (4.4%), respectively. Children from non-farming families were less likely to be at risk of intestinal parasite infections (AOR = 0.41, p = 0.028) compared to children from farming families. Children from households with access to treated drinking water were less likely to contract intestinal parasite infections (AOR = 0.44, p = 0.021) compared with those who used untreated water. Children from families with improved sources of water were twice as likely to be diagnosed with intestinal parasitoses compared to those who did not. We postulate that the majority of families (50.1%) who have access to improved water sources do not treat water before consumption. Conclusion The high prevalence of intestinal parasitoses in children warrants strict control measures for improved sanitation, while treatment of drinking water should be considered.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Primary School Children in Dera District, Northwest Ethiopia

“…The prevalence of Entamoeba sp. (29.6%) in the present study was relatively similar to the studies conducted in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia (24.5%) [ 29 ], Tanzania (31%) [ 51 ], Sudan, (31.2%) [ 28 ], and Rwanda (25.95%) [ 44 ]. However, it was higher than the study done in Gobgob, Northwest Ethiopia (13%) [ 39 ], Sudan (15.50%) [ 17 ], Homesha District, Western Ethiopia (14.17%) [ 33 ], Jawi town, Ethiopia (5.9%) [ 19 ], Cambodia (17.5%) [ 48 ], Birbir town, Southern Ethiopia (2.6%) [ 39 ], Delo-Mena District, Southeastern Ethiopia (7.7%) [ 35 ], Sasiga District, Southwest Ethiopia (8.1%) [ 27 ], Adigrat town, Northern Ethiopia (4.5%) [ 36 ], Glomekeda district, Northern Ethiopia (19.43%) [ 47 ], Adele town, East Arsi, Ethiopia (10.3%) [ 40 ], and western Saudi Arabia (2%) [ 42 ].…”

“…Prevalence of A. lumbricoides (4.2%) was similar to the studies done in Nigeria (7.9%) [ 44 ], Delo-Mena district, Ethiopia (3.7%) [ 35 ], Gurage Zone, Ethiopia (9.4%) [ 37 ], Birbir town, Southern Ethiopia (8.8%) [ 34 ], Bahir Dar Zuria, Ethiopia (8.6%) [ 57 ], and Glomekeda district, Northern Ethiopia (3.3%) [ 47 ]. The result was lower than the study conducted in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia (13.6%) [ 29 ], Nigeria (26.8%) [ 56 ], Malaysia (34.3%) [ 50 ], Gobgob Northwest Ethiopia (33.3%) [ 39 ], Southern Ethiopia (33.2%) [ 30 ], Sasiga District, Southwest Ethiopia (22.7%) [ 27 ], Adigrat town, Northern Ethiopia (19.1%) [ 36 ], Adele town, East Arsi, Ethiopia (12%) [ 40 ], and Southwestern China (25.2%) [ 58 ].…”

“…The prevalence of G. lamblia (5.2%) in the study area was lower than the studies done in Bahir Dar Ethiopia (11.4%) [ 29 ], Homesha District, Northwest Ethiopia (12.65%) [ 33 ], Jawi town, Ethiopia (19.95%) [ 19 ], Gobgob, Northwest Ethiopia (11%) [ 39 ], Iran (11.0%) [ 53 ], Nigeria (19.7%) [ 43 ], Rwanda (19.6%) [ 44 ], Sudan (22.9%) [ 28 ], Tripoli, Lebanon (28.5%) [ 54 ], Cambodia (31.5%) [ 48 ], and Senegal (72.5%) [ 45 ].…”

“…This overall prevalence was higher than that of the national prevalence of IPIs among school children (52%) [ 31 ], Senbete and Bete Towns, North Shoa, Ethiopia (52.3%) [ 32 ], Homesha District, Northwest Ethiopia (35.44%) [ 33 ], Birbir town, Southern Ethiopia (27.1%) [ 34 ], Delo-Mena District, Southeastern Ethiopia (26.6%) [ 35 ], Adigrat town, Northern Ethiopia (50.81%) [ 36 ], Gurage Zone, Ethiopia (40.2%) [ 37 ], Bahir Dar, Ethiopia (45%) [ 38 ], Gobgob Primary School, Northwest Ethiopia (30.8%) [ 39 ], East Arsi, Ethiopia (27.1%) [ 40 ], Iran (21.5%) [ 18 ], India (27.5%) [ 41 ], Western Saudi Arabia (12%) [ 42 ], Nigeria (13.7%) [ 43 ], Rwanda (44.8%) [ 44 ], and Senegal (35%) [ 45 ]. But, it was lower than the finding from Mizan-Aman Town, Southwest Ethiopia (76.7%) [ 46 ].…”

Intestinal Parasite Infestation and Its Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among Children in Duhok City, Kurdistan Region Iraq

“…It could also be due to the easy transmission methods of infection, such as fecal-oral ways, either directly from person to person or indirectly by eating or drinking fecal contaminated food and water 24 . In contrast, a local study in Iraq by Ihsan team presented the rate of intestinal helminths infections was higher than other intestinal infections among children 25 , also a study in Rwanda 26 . Socio-demographic, environmental, and hygienic factors were also studied in the present study; both gender, males and females, were exposed to the chance of intestinal parasite diseases; the highest rate of infections was found in boys than in girls.…”