HIV and hepatitis B, C co-infection and correlates of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Rwanda, 2021: a respondent-driven sampling, cross-sectional study.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a key population group disproportionately affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. In Rwanda, the HIV epidemic remains a significant public health concern, and understanding the burden of HIV and hepatitis B and C coinfections among MSM is crucial for designing effective prevention and control strategies. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C infections among MSM in Rwanda and identify correlates associated with HIV infection within this population.

Strategies for Removal of Barriers to Hepatitis C Elimination in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health threat, with serious consequences including liver cirrhosis and cancer. Despite efforts to combat HCV, an estimated 1.5 million new infections occur each year and HCV was the sixth leading cause of death in 2017.

Long-term effect of chronic hepatitis B on mortality in HIV-infected persons in a differential HBV transmission setting.

Background: There remain gaps in quantifying mortality risk among individuals co-infected with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan African contexts. Among a cohort of HIV-positive individuals in Rwanda, we estimate the difference in time-to mortality between HBV-positive (HIV/HBV co-infected) and HBV-negative (HIV mono-infected) individuals.

Methods: Using a dataset of HIV-infected adults screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from January to June 2016 in Rwanda, we performed time-to-event analysis from the date of HBsAg results until death or end of study (31 December 2019).

Patient and healthcare provider experiences of hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals in Rwanda: a qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are increasingly accessible to patients with hepatitis C (HCV) worldwide and are being introduced through national health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. DAAs are highly efficacious when tested in controlled trials, yet patients treated outside of study settings often encounter challenges in completing the full treatment and follow-up sequence. Little information is available on the influences of successful DAA implementation in sub-Saharan Africa.

Effectiveness of Direct-acting Antivirals for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Rwanda: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are becoming accessible in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the effectiveness of DAAs in patients treated through the Rwandan national health system and identified factors associated with treatment outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study used data from the national hepatitis C virus (HCV) program for patients who initiated DAAs between November 2015 and March 2017.

Risk factors for viral hepatitis C infection in Rwanda: results from a nationwide screening program.

Background: The epidemiology and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Rwanda are not well known; however, this information is crucial to shaping the country's public health approach to hepatitis C control.

Methods: A HCV screening campaign was conducted in the general population in 24 districts previously identified to have a high HCV disease burden. At the time of sample collection, sociodemographic information and self-reported risk factors were collected.

Screening a nation for hepatitis C virus elimination: a cross-sectional study on prevalence of hepatitis C and associated risk factors in the Rwandan general population.

Objectives: We analysed data collected during programmatic screening activities conducted in 2017 to describe hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence in the general population and identify associated factors.

Design: We analysed data collected between June and September 2017. For both seroprevalence and viraemia, variations across demographic and geographic factors were assessed and multivariate regression models were fit to identify factors independently associated with each marker.

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity and its associated factors in Rwanda.

Background: The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the general population in Rwanda is not well known. This study examined the prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity and associated risk factors among people aged 25 years and over in an organized national screening campaign.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using data from a nationwide HBV screening campaign organized by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre from March to October 2018.

Controlling hepatitis C in Rwanda: a framework for a national response.

With the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs, treatment of hepatitis C is both highly effective and tolerable. Access to treatment for patients, however, remains limited in low- and middle-income countries due to the lack of supportive health infrastructure and the high cost of treatment. Poorer countries are being encouraged by international bodies to organize public health responses that would facilitate the roll-out of care and treatment on a national scale.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection in persons living with HIV enrolled in care in Rwanda.

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) are important causes of morbidity and mortality in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The burden of these co-infections in sub-Saharan Africa is still unclear. We estimated the prevalence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) among HIV-infected individuals in Rwanda and identified factors associated with infection.