The effects of perceived therapist guidance and advice on adherence to home-based exercise programs in mothers of children with cerebral palsy in Rwanda.

Background: The alarming prevalence of non- or poor adherence to Home-based Exercise Programs (34-79.2 %, HEP) in parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy (C-CP) is a global health concern due to its detrimental effect on treatment outcomes.

Objective: To examine whether Perceived Therapist Guidance and Advice (TGA) or social support moderate the effects of PTSD, depression, parenting stress, low self-efficacy, the burden of care, or the effects of perceived family stigma on adherence to HEP.

Perinatal intimate partner violence among teen mothers and children's attachment disorders in Rwanda: potential mediating factors.

The alarming prevalence of teen mothers' exposure to perinatal intimate partner violence (IPV, 8.3-67%) and attachment disorders (ADs) among their children is a global concern, especially in sub-Saharan Africa with high teenage pregnancy rates. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the link between teen IPV and AD in their offspring.

Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress and their risk and protective factors among secondary students in Rwanda during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Compelling evidence shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has detrimental effects on the mental health of university students. However, little is known about the psychological distress experienced by students from high schools during the pandemic. This study, therefore, sought to examine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress and their associated factors among students from high schools in Rwanda.

The psychosocial determinants of adherence to home-based rehabilitation strategies in parents of children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.

Introduction: Involving parents of children with cerebral palsy (C-CP) in home exercise programmes (HEP) is globally practiced strategy closely linked to improved physical performance and functional outcomes for the child. Nevertheless, non-adherence to HEP is increasing at an alarming rate, and little is known about the factors influencing adherence to HEP (AHEP) especially in parents of C-CP. This systematic review aimed to identify the factors enhancing AHEP among parents of C-CP to reinforce the efficacy of rehabilitation practices proposed by health professionals, researchers, and educators.

The mental health prognosis of offspring born of genocidal rape is influenced by family members, the community and their perceptions toward them.

Background: There is little known about the family and community maltreatment of the offspring born of the genocidal rape and the offspring's self-perceptions and how they influence their recovery from mental health problems. This study aimed to examine how the mental health prognosis of these offspring could be influenced by the family or community perceptions and attitudes toward them and their self-perception and coping strategies.

Methods: Thirty-two semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted on 16 dyads of mothers and their offspring who were selected from countrywide.

Perceptions of the Intervention Utility and Effectiveness in Supporting and Reintegrating Youths Born of Genocidal Rape in Rwanda.

Background: Birth through genocidal rape has a detrimental impact on the health of the offspring; however, there is scarce literature that focuses on efforts to support and reintegrate people born of this crime due to the lack of needs assessments that can inform policies and interventions.

Objective: This study sought to explore perceptions of the intervention utility and effectiveness in supporting and reintegrating offspring born of the 1994 genocidal rape against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Methods: A purposive sample of 16 dyads of non-partnered mothers raped in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and their offspring participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Sleep quality among undergraduate medical students in Rwanda: a comparative study.

Despite the abundance of literature highlighting poor sleep quality among medical students and its detrimental impact on their mental well-being and academic performance, no study has been conducted to investigate the sleep quality of undergraduate medical students in Rwanda to date. Therefore, this study sought to determine the magnitude of sleep quality of undergraduate medical students in Rwanda and to compare the scores of seven components of sleep quality across classes. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 undergraduate medical students aged 18-35 years (mean = 24, SD = 2.

Evaluating the impact of Community-Based Sociotherapy on social dignity in post-genocide Rwanda: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Community-Based Sociotherapy (CBS) is an approach that was introduced in Rwanda in 2005, with the aim of improving psychosocial well-being among its participants and facilitating reconciliation processes. Over the years, CBS has been adapted contextually and the effectiveness of the approach has been measured in different ways, using qualitative and quantitative study designs. This study specifically assesses the effectiveness of CBS in terms of fostering the social dignity of participants as the primary outcome.

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of narrative therapy on resilience of orphaned and abandoned children fostered in SOS children's village.

Narrative Therapy is an efficacious treatment approach widely practiced for various psychological conditions. However, few studies have examined its effectiveness on resilience, a robust determinant of one's mental health, and there has been no randomized controlled trial in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of narrative therapy for the resilience of orphaned and abandoned children in Rwanda.

Efficacy of narrative therapy for orphan and abandoned children with anxiety and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders in Rwanda: A randomized controlled trial.

Background And Objective: Although narrative therapy (NT) is globally practiced for alleviating psychological disorders, studies of its efficacy for vulnerable children are still scarce, especially in African post-conflict settings. Thus, this study was aimed at assessing the efficacy of NT for Rwandan Orphans and abandoned children (OAC) with ADHD and anxiety disorders.

Method: This study was a parallel randomized controlled trial in which participants (n = 72) were recruited from SOS Children's Villages.

Trends and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization in Rwanda: results from the 2015 and 2020 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (RDHS 2015 and 2020).

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is reported to be a public health issue given its magnitude and long-lasting consequences. Men are generally thought to be perpetrators of IPV, but they can also be victims. In Rwanda, the experience of men as victims has not yet been described and characterized.

Negative emotions and personal well-being among incarcerated filicide mothers in Rwanda.

Despite the tremendous evidence of the harmful effects of maternal filicide on the lives of offenders, there is a scarcity on studies of their negative emotions and personal wellbeing especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, this study was primarily aimed at assessing the prevalence of negative emotions experienced by filicide mothers and how they were associated with personal wellbeing in Rwanda. With an institutional-based cross-sectional study design, we measured the symptoms of anxiety, anger, shame, guilt, depression and personal well-being in a convenient sample of 55 filicidal mothers (mean age = 26.

A qualitative analysis of negative feelings among incarcerated filicide mothers in Rwanda.

Background: Most of the research on filicide mothers suggests that they experience negative feelings before they kill their child. However, little is known about whether these negative feelings can be expressed after one-year post-offense among incarcerated filicide mothers with no history of psychiatric problems. In this study, we aimed to conduct a qualitative analysis to (a) understand negative feelings evolving from negative emotions such as anger, guilt, shame, depression, and anxiety among filicide mothers incarcerated in Nyarugenge Prison in Rwanda, (b) identify the impact of experienced negative feelings on their personal wellbeing, and (c) explore their coping strategies.

The prevalence of mental disorders among intimate partner violence exposed and non-exposed Rwandans: Findings from a national cross-sectional survey.

Despite mounting evidence indicating an increased risk of long-term mental disorders in Rwanda's general population, little is still known about the national prevalence of mental disorders among victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) in a post-conflict setting. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of mental disorders among IPV exposed and non-exposed individuals in Rwanda. This was a cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the 2018 Rwanda Mental Health Survey.

Intimate partner violence as a predictor of antenatal care services utilization in Rwanda.

Background: Although compelling evidence shows that exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is detrimental to both physical and mental health of the victims and their fetuses, studies on negative impact of IPV on antenatal care (ANC) services utilization are scarce.

Methods: The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of IPV exposure on ANC services utilization indicators such as (i) initiation of care within the first 3 months of pregnancy, (ii) receipt of at least four ANC visits and (iii) receipt of care from skilled providers among reproductive age women in Rwanda. This study used the data from the 2014-15 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey.

Mental disorders and substance abuse among Rwandan university students: the moderating effects of interpersonal violence.

: There is an abundance of evidence suggesting that interpersonal violence commonly co-occurs with mental disorders and substance abuse. Interpersonal violence is one of the most well-documented and salient factors of mental disorders and substance abuse; however, there are no studies investigating the moderating role of interpersonal violence in post-conflict Rwanda. : The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between mental disorders and substance abuse among Rwandan university students, and whether the role of interpersonal violence is a moderating factor.

Gambling, Family Dysfunction and Psychological Disorders: A Cross- Sectional Study.

The present study aimed to identify predictors and effects of problem gambling and examine the moderating role of family dysfunction between problem gambling and its effects. A sample of 104 gamblers (all were men, Mean = 26.2, SD = 6.

Factors of postpartum depression among teen mothers in Rwanda: a cross- sectional study.

Objective: To identify the factors of postpartum depression among teen mothers.

Method: A convenient sample of 120 teen mothers who were aged 15 to 19years (=18.02, SD=1.