Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium falciparum Co-infections among School Children in Bugesera District, Rwanda: Implications for National Control Programs

Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium infections are ubiquitous with morbidity and mortality within the tropical and subtropical regions. However, the extent and consequences of STH-Plasmodium co-infection at different spatial scales are poorly understood. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium coinfection, and, the impact thereof among school children in Bugesera District of Eastern Rwanda.

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: Overall the prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, Hookworm and P. falciparum was 4.43%, 0.76%, 0.16% and 3.15% respectively. On the other hand, 36.15% were co-infected with A. lumbricoides and P. falciparum. Surprisingly, the coinfection was higher 41.79%, (P<0.001) in girls than the overall coinfection prevalence.

Conclusion: Helminthiasis and malaria remain dominant, in spite of the continuing and tremendous national control programs. The strikingly surprising higher prevalence of A. lumbricoides-P. falciparum co-infection in girls calls for additional investigations.