Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a significant public health problem in subSaharan
Africa (SSA) and Rwanda is not spared. While eradication programs towards preschoolaged
and school-aged children are undertaken, important gaps regarding IPIs among students
attending tertiary learning institutions remain. The aim of this study was to determine the
prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among Kigali Institute of Education (KIE)
students who attended its medical clinic for stool examination. A cross-sectional study was
carried out during the 2010 academic year, from February to July. Fresh stool samples were
collected from 109 students chosen randomly and were examined for the presence of eggs,
cysts and parasites using direct saline smear under light microscopy. A questionnaire was
also used to assess water consumption habits, eating and living places. More than half
(50.5%) of the stools examined were infected with an intestinal parasite. Among the infected
students, prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica was 54.5%, Trichomonas intestinalis and
Ascaris lumbricoides were 20.0%, Giardia duodenalis was 3.6% and Ancylostoma duodenale
was 1.8%. The prevalence of IPIs was strongly associated with drinking any kind of water
(p<0.001) and eating outside of the KIE cafeteria (p<0.001) and significantly related to living
outside of the KIE campus (p=0.026). The study showed that IPIs of public health relevance
are prevalent among students attending tertiary schools. The importance of living and eating
in hygienic environments as well as drinking safe water is crucial and all efforts need to be
sustained.