Publications by authors named "Jean de la Paix Gakuru"
Article Synopsis
- Rwanda's Hepatitis C elimination campaign focused on mass screenings, but considering a "micro-elimination" strategy targeting specific groups, like non-communicable disease (NCD) patients, might be more effective.
- A study involving over 7,600 NCD patients revealed a 6.7% prevalence rate for Hepatitis C antibodies and 2.0% for Hepatitis B, with higher rates among older individuals, particularly those over 70 years.
- While many patients screened positive, only a small percentage were successfully linked to care, highlighting the need for improved identification and management strategies for those co-infected with Hepatitis C and NCDs.
Introduction: The World Health Organization has called for the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) as public health threats by 2030. In response to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees requests, Rwanda became the first country to include refugees in its national viral hepatitis prevention and management program in 2019. We used secondary data to describe the implementation of the first HBV and HCV screening program among refugees in Rwanda.
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- - The study evaluated the progression of individuals who tested positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) during a mass screening in rural Rwanda, focusing on how well they moved through the healthcare system from diagnosis to treatment success.
- - Among 666 HCV positive participants, the majority were female (68.1%) with a median age of 61; while most received viral load results, only a little over half achieved sustained virological response (SVR12), which indicates successful treatment.
- - Timely care was a significant issue, with only 66% receiving their initial viral load results within 30 days and a median total time of 437 days from screening to SVR12 assessment, suggesting delays in the treatment process in these low
Article Synopsis
- A mass screening campaign for hepatitis B and C was conducted among Burundian refugees in Rwanda to understand the viral hepatitis epidemiology in the region.
- The study involved screening 26,498 refugees, finding a seroprevalence of 3.8% for hepatitis B and 1.1% for hepatitis C, with certain age and sex trends noted.
- Key risk factors for hepatitis B and C included household contact history, diabetes, family history, heart disease, and previous surgeries, revealing similarities in prevalence compared to the broader Rwandan population.
Article Synopsis
- Curative direct-acting antiviral treatment (DAA) can help eliminate hepatitis C, but a lack of patient knowledge poses a challenge for effective screening and treatment.
- *In a study of 333 rural Rwandan patients starting DAA, pre-treatment knowledge showed that many were unaware of critical information about hepatitis C, such as its curability and potential health risks.
- *Post-treatment, while knowledge improved significantly, misconceptions about transmission routes remained common, highlighting the need for targeted public education efforts.*
Background: To eliminate hepatitis C, Rwanda is conducting national mass screenings and providing to people with chronic hepatitis C free access to Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs). Until 2020, prescribers trained and authorized to initiate DAA treatment were based at district hospitals, and access to DAAs remains expensive and geographically difficult for rural patients. We implemented a mobile clinic to provide DAA treatment initiation at primary-level health facilities among people with chronic hepatitis C identified through mass screening campaigns in rural Kirehe and Kayonza districts.
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