Abstrait

Assessment of intestinal parasites among children taking antiparasitic drugs at Ngoma primary school, Rwanda.

Zephanie Nzeyimana, Thaddee Nshimiyimana, Jean Marie Vianney Nyumbayire, Filmin Uwihoreye, Osuwat Lawrence Obado, Jean Baptiste Niyibizi*

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are amongst the most common infections worldwide. There is increasing recognition that these parasites can impair the growth and development of children of all ages. Since 2009, Rwanda MOH has targeted to reduce prevalence of soil transmitted helminths in school aged children from 65% to 50% by 2012. Objectives: Our study aimed to assess intestinal parasites among Ngoma primary school children taking antiparasitic drugs (Albendazole and Mebendazole). The specific objectives of this study were to establish the most commonly encountered intestinal parasites in Ngoma primary school children and to determine intestinal parasite load among the infected children.

Methods: 120 stool samples, conveniently sampled, of Ngoma primary school children were examined for intestinal parasites. Slides were prepared directly for Wet mount in saline and iodine then microscopically examined. Finally, formalin-ether sedimentation techniques and Modified Wisconsin Sugar flotation method were used to concentrate stool samples for parasite identification and egg count respectively.

Results: Of the 120 children, 39 (32.5%) were found infected with one or more intestinal parasites. The prevalence of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Taenia species infections as determined by Formol ether concentration technique were 13.3%, 7.5%, 5.8%, 3.3%, 1.7%, and .8% respectively. On the other hand, the mean of Egg per gram of stool estimates of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Taenia species as determined by modified Wisconsin Sugar flotation method were 11, 9, and 6 egg per gram (epg), respectively. Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infections were prevalent in varying magnitude among Ngoma primary school children. G. lamblia, E. coli, and E. histolyica together contribute to the majority of intestinal parasites encountered and they represent 86% of all the intestinal parasitic infections recovered.