title: Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Rwanda: an update on their epidemiology and control.
abstract: Even though Rwanda lies within a region that has a high prevalence of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, epidemiological information regarding these infections in the country remains scarce. The present review attempts to compile the available data on schistosomiasis and STHs, from 1940 to 2014, to provide an insight on the epidemiological profile of these infections. This information will, in turn, support the design and implementation of sustainable control measures. The available records indicate that only Schistosoma mansoni and all the major species of STHs are endemic in Rwanda. In 2008, the national prevalence of S. mansoni was reported to be 2.7%, ranging from 0 to 69.5%, and that of STH infections was 65.8% (diagnosed using the Kato-Katz technique). The prevalence of these infections varies from one district to another, with schoolchildren remaining a highly affected group. The main control approach is mass drug administration using albendazole and praziquantel, mostly targeting school-aged children in school environments. In 2008, adult individuals living in areas with a prevalence of S. mansoni ≥30% were also included in the mass drug administration programme. However, despite Rwanda achieving an almost 100% coverage of this programme in 2008-2010, the transmission of S. mansoni and STHs continues to take place, as illustrated by the most recent surveys. If Rwanda is to achieve sustainable control and elimination of schistosomiasis and STHs, there is a need to revise the country's control strategy and adopt an integrated control approach that involves a combination of measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Nyarugenge, Rwanda.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rujeni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania. dmorona@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morona
authors.affiliation: Rwanda Biomedical Center, Institute of HIV, Disease Prevention and Control, Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases Division, Neglected Tropical Diseases and Other Parasitic Diseases Unit, Kigali, Rwanda.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ruberanziza
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Humphrey D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Mazigo
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015995:Prevalence; D012432:Rwanda / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel; D015766:Albendazole
keywords: Control; Epidemiology; Rwanda; Schistosomiasis; Soil-transmitted helminths