Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections are still a public health problem globally, affecting 3.5 billion people each year. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of intestinal parasites among suspected patients attending Rubungo Health Center in Rwanda. METHODS: This study used a quantitative retrospective cross-sectional design. A review of records on intestinal parasitic infections among both inpatients and outpatients who visited Rubungo Health Center between 2015 and 2019 was conducted. We used descriptive analysis and a chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to determine the significant factors associated with intestinal parasites. RESULTS: Out of 389 patients tested for intestinal parasites, 62.7% were positive. From 2015 to 2018, cases showed a declining trend, but there was a sharp increase in 2019 to 22.1% from 14.3% in 2018, a change that showed marginal statistical significance (p = 0.054). Males were 2.16 times more likely to have Entamoeba histolytica than females (AoR: 2.16, 95%:1.10-4.16). E. histolytica was the most common parasite, with fluctuating prevalence, peaking in 2016-2018 and reaching 14.8% in 2015 and 2019. Age categories showed a significant positive association with E. histolytica parasite. CONCLUSION: This study highlights a high prevalence of intestinal parasites in the Rubungo Health Center catchment area. The persistence of these infections despite WASH interventions suggests inadequate implementation and a need to strengthen the continued health education in the community to all age groups.