Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of dyspepsia in the general population of Rwanda.

Introduction: Dyspepsia accounts for a significant burden of worldwide disease, but there is a relative paucity of data from the sub-Saharan African setting. We undertook to describe the burden, risk factors and severity of dyspepsia across Rwanda.

Methods: We performed a population-based clustered cross-sectional survey between November 2015 and January 2016, nationwide in Rwanda, using the Short Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire to describe the presence and severity of dyspepsia, and the Short Form Nepean Dyspepsia Index to describe the concomitant quality of life effects.

Proximal deep vein thrombosis among hospitalised medical and obstetric patients in Rwandan university teaching hospitals: prevalence and associated risk factors: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by ultrasound scanning, as well as associated clinical features and known risk factors, among medical and obstetrics-gynaecology inpatients in two Rwandan tertiary hospitals.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Settings: Rwanda teaching hospitals: Kigali and Butare University Teaching Hospitals.

Better evidence: prospective cohort study assessing the utility of an evidence-based clinical resource at the University of Rwanda.

Objective: Evidence-based clinical resources (EBCRs) have the potential to improve diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy. The majority of US teaching medical institutions have incorporated them into clinical training. Many EBCRs are subscription based, and their cost is prohibitive for most clinicians and trainees in low-income and middle-income countries.

Health Professional Training and Capacity Strengthening Through International Academic Partnerships: The First Five Years of the Human Resources for Health Program in Rwanda.

Background: The Rwanda Human Resources for Health Program (HRH Program) is a 7-year (2012-2019) health professional training initiative led by the Government of Rwanda with the goals of training a large, diverse, and competent health workforce and strengthening the capacity of academic institutions in Rwanda.

Methods: The data for this organizational case study was collected through official reports from the Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH) and 22 participating US academic institutions, databases from the MoH and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) in Rwanda, and surveys completed by the co-authors.

Results: In the first 5 years of the HRH Program, a consortium of US academic institutions has deployed an average of 99 visiting faculty per year to support 22 training programs, which are on track to graduate almost 4600 students by 2019.

Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection and other soil-transmitted helminths by cross-sectional survey in a rural community in Gisagara District, Southern Province, Rwanda.

Background: Strongyloides stercoralis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases. Sparse, dated central African and Rwandan data on seroprevalence are available to guide public health efforts and clinical care.

Methods: In February 2016 we conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 539 asymptomatic participants in a rural area in the Gisagara District, Southern Province, Rwanda.

"Waiting for DAAs": A retrospective chart review of patients with untreated hepatitis C in Rwanda.

Background: Access to treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sub-Saharan Africa is extremely limited. With the advent of direct acting antivirals (DAAs), highly effective and easy-to-deliver oral regimens are now available on the global market. This study was conducted to understand the background and characteristics of a national cohort of patients with HCV infection enrolled in care and awaiting therapy with DAAs.

The challenge of managing headache disorders in a tertiary referral neurology clinic in Rwanda.

Objective: To determine the pattern, management, and outcome of headaches among patients treated at Outpatient Neurology Clinic.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Out-Patient Neurology Clinic of the Butare University Teaching Hospital, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda between February and May 2015. We extracted the demographic data, headache characteristics, and associated conditions, prior pain-relieving medication use, waiting time before consultation, the results of paraclinical investigations, final diagnosis according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, management, and 3-month clinical outcome from the medical records of all patients who consulted for headache over 36-month period.

Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Rwanda.

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are significant global public health challenges with health care workers (HCWs) at especially high risk of exposure in resource-poor settings. We aimed to measure HBV and HCV prevalence, identify exposure risks and evaluate hepatitis-related knowledge amongst Rwandan tertiary hospital HCWs.

Methods: A cross sectional study involving tertiary hospital employees was conducted from October to December 2013.

Helicobacter pylori status and associated gastroscopic diagnoses in a tertiary hospital endoscopy population in Rwanda.

Background: The study was undertaken to document the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and endoscopic diagnoses in Rwandans presenting for gastroscopy.

Methods: We studied an endoscopic database containing 961 consecutive gastroscopy patients at the University Teaching Hospital, Butare, over 12 months. Patient characteristics, endoscopic diagnoses and H.

Evaluation of adherence to a convulsion management protocol for children in Rwanda.

Inappropriate seizure management may result in high morbidity and mortality. We assessed the adherence of health professionals in southern Rwanda to a national protocol for pharmacological management of seizures in children. A questionnaire featuring a 5-year-old child with generalized prolonged seizures was administered.

Efficacy of sublingual lorazepam versus intrarectal diazepam for prolonged convulsions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, intrarectal diazepam is the first-line anticonvulsant mostly used in children. We aimed to assess this standard care against sublingual lorazepam, a medication potentially as effective and safe, but easier to administer. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the pediatric emergency departments of 9 hospitals.