Intestinal schistosomiasis and the associated transmission factors in pre-school aged children in villages surrounding Lake Rweru in Bugesera District, Rwanda

Background: Schistosomiasis is a waterborne snail-transmitted parasitic disease and is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting populations living where water supply and sanitation are poor and inadequate. Pre-school aged children (PSAC) have often been ignored in disease control and prevention programs, as a result very little information is available on the prevalence or intensity of schistosomiasis in this age group.