Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection and other soil-transmitted helminths by cross-sectional survey in a rural community in Gisagara District, Southern Province, Rwanda

BACKGROUND: Strongyloides stercoralis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases. Sparse, dated central African and Rwandan data on seroprevalence are available to guide public health efforts and clinical care. METHODS: In February 2016 we conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 539 asymptomatic participants in a rural area in the Gisagara District, Southern Province, Rwanda. Direct faecal smear (DFS) and modified Koga agar plate culture (APC) were used to detect S. stercoralis infection in a single stool sample. Data on other soil-transmitted helminths diagnosed by DFS were also recorded. RESULTS: Four intestinal helminth infections were diagnosed, with S. stercoralis (17.4%) and hookworms (8.2%) seen most often. APC, compared with DFS, increased the diagnosis rate for S. stercoralis from 1.9% to 17.4% (p<0.01). The prevalence was higher in farmers and those with lower socio-economic status. Females were less often infected than males (odds ratio 0.6 [95% confidence interval 0.3 to 0.9], p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: S. stercoralis is highly prevalent among the general population in a rural area of Gisagara District, Southern Province, Rwanda. Access to effective diagnosis and treatment is needed for this neglected disease.