Geographical Distribution of Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium falciparum Co- Infections among School Children in Bugesera District, Rwanda
Umwanankundi Marcelline
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
Mazigo D. Humphrey
Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania .
Tumusiime David
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Fundamental Sciences, INES-Ruhengeri-Institute of Applied Sciences, Ruhengeri, Rwanda University, Kota, Rajasthan State, India.
Mucumbitsi Joseph
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
Arpita Sharma
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Career Point University, Kota, Rajasthan State, India.
Barugahare John Banson *
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Uganda.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium infections are ubiquitous within the tropical and subtropical regions. However, the extent and consequences of Helminthic and Plasmodium infections and co-infections - geographical distributions are not fully understood. This study aimed determining the geographical distribution of these parasites.
Study Design: Cross Sectional Survey.
Place and Duration of Study: The survey was conducted in Bugesera District, Eastern Rwanda, between May and December 2020.
Methodology: The survey was conducted among children between ages 5 and 18 years, across 21 randomly selected primary schools. Stool samples were collected and screened for soil transmitted helminths using Kato-Katz, while finger-prick blood samples were examined under the microscope to determine Plasmodium infection.
Results: P. falciparum was common throughout the study area, with highest prevalence in provinces of Nyiragiseke (22.78%) and Shami (18.99%). The geographical distribution of STH was variably dominated by A. lumbricoides. The co-infection exhibited geographical variation consistent with the A. lumbricoides prevalence.
Conclusion: The un-proportional distribution of and higher prevalence of P. falciparum in the provinces of Nyiragiseke (22.78%) and Shami (18.99%) calls for the review of the control methods, strategies and mechanisms to address the unique conditions and activities in each province. The variably dominant A. lumbricoides- Plasmodium co-infection calls for targeted control strategies and mechanisms for these parasites since this association has been attributed to severe malaria.
Keywords: Geographical distribution, Plasmodium falciparum, soil transmitted helminthes, Co - infections