Prospective Observational Study on Moderate Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer in Rwanda: Acute Toxicity in Patients.

Purpose: Moderate hypofractionation (MHF) offers logistical and financial advantages, and has become standard in Western countries but not yet in Africa. This study assessed GI and genitourinary (GU) acute toxicity in Rwandan men undergoing MHF (20 × 3 Gy) treatment.

Materials And Methods: Since 2021, patients with prostate cancer at the Rwanda Cancer Centre have been informed about the study on MHF treatment and could participate by signing an informed consent.

[Position paper from the "Climate and Sustainability" working group in the German Society for Rehabilitation Sciences].

The "Climate and Sustainability" working group of the German Society for Rehabilitation Sciences was founded in March 2023. The members represent research, practice, and service providers in rehabilitation. The aim is to make rehabilitation in Germany sustainable and to focus on climate protection and the health consequences of climate change.

The mediating role of positive feelings in the association between adaptation to disability and positive emotional well-being in a sample of students with congenital physical disabilities.

Background: Adaptation to disability (AD) is linked to positive feelings (PF) and positive emotional well-being (PEWB), while emotional suppression can improve adaptation and provide temporary PEWB but will not lead to sustainable positive mental health. This study examined whether and to what extent PF might mediate the link between AD and PEWB in a sample of students with congenital physical disabilities (CPD) in Rwanda.

Methods: A sample of 46 students with CPD (21 females, i.

The Role of Telemedicine in Enhancing Surgical Care Delivery in Africa: A Literature Review.

Background And Aims: In Africa, telemedicine holds great potential to revolutionize surgical care delivery, especially in areas where access to quality treatment is scarce. Data about the use of these services in African countries is, however, limited. To outline the present issues in surgical care delivery, as well as the significant role of telemedicine in advancing surgical care delivery in Africa.

Indoor residual spraying uptake and its effect on malaria morbidity in Ngoma district, Eastern province of Rwanda, 2018-2021.

Background: Indoor residual spraying (IRS) has been implemented in Rwanda in districts with high malaria transmission, including Ngoma District. The first IRS campaign (IRS-1) was conducted in March 2019, ahead of the peak malaria season, followed by a second campaign (IRS-2) in August 2020, targeting 89,331 structures. This study assessed factors influencing IRS uptake and evaluated the impact of IRS interventions on malaria morbidity in Ngoma District, Eastern Province, Rwanda.

Reducing under-five mortality in Tanzania: insights from a 60-years data analysis on economic and health indicators.

Background: Under-five mortality in Tanzania remains a persistent issue, significantly affecting both the health and economic sectors. Despite various interventions, the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) remains high, impeding progress toward global health targets. This study investigates the factors influencing under-five mortality in Tanzania, focusing on the gross domestic product (GDP), malaria incidence, access to water, and access to sanitation.

Exploring the impact of the Global Community-Based Education (G-CBE) program at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Rwanda: insights from the inaugural cohort.

Background And Context: Community-Based Education (CBE) integrates practical experiences within community settings to deepen students' understanding of real-world issues. In July 2023, the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) launched the Global Community-Based Education (G-CBE) program, designed to immerse international students in diverse settings across Rwanda and enhance their grasp of social determinants of health, community health and social medicine.

Objectives: This study explores the experiences and perceptions of the first cohort of the G-CBE program at UGHE.

African Forensic Sciences Academy (AFSA): An emerging movement in Africa.

Forensic science bodies their respective regions and form the foundation for best practice. Until recently, no officially registered body existed that represented all forensic science practitioners across Africa. The African Forensic Sciences Academy (AFSA) was founded in December 2022 for this reason to serve African forensic science practitioners.

Modeling the impact of short-term displacement of domestic animals on the transmission dynamics of brucellosis.

Brucellosis, a prevalent zoonotic disease caused by bacteria from the genus , presents a substantial public health and economic challenges worldwide. In this paper, we formulate a two-patch deterministic model to investigate the impact of short-term displacement of domestic animals on the transmission dynamics of brucellosis within and between patches with heterogeneous risk of infection. The model analysis is performed, and the basic reproduction number is computed and used in the stability analysis of equilibria.

Enhancing iron and zinc bioavailability in maize () through phytate reduction: the impact of fermentation alone and in combination with soaking and germination.

Introduction: Phytates are nutrient-binding compounds found mainly in cereals and legumes, which may significantly contribute to micronutrient malnutrition in regions where phytate-rich cereals, such as maize, are staple food.

Objectives: This study investigated how maize fermentation, both alone and in combination with soaking and germination, can reduce phytate levels and enhance the estimated bioavailability of iron and zinc.

Methods: We evaluated various fermentation methods, including spontaneous fermentation; fermentation with starter cultures, either 299v (Lp299) or yogurt containing viable ; and fermentation with Lp299 of soaked and germinated maize.

Survive and Thrive: Outcomes of Children Enrolled in a Follow-Up Clinic for Small and Sick Newborns in Rural Rwanda.

Introduction: Children born small or sick are at risk of death and poor development, but many lack access to preventative follow-up services. We assessed the impact of Pediatric Development Clinics (PDC), which provide structured follow-up after discharge from hospital neonatal care units, on children's survival, nutrition and development in rural Rwanda.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study compared a historic control group to children receiving PDC in Kayonza and Kirehe districts.

The impact of the exodus of big pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria on antimicrobial resistance in the West African subregion.

The departure of pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria - a major source of antimicrobial drug supply in West Africa - increases the risk of an elevated burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Nigeria and the West Africa subregion. Urgent actions must be taken by relevant actors to address the increased risk of AMR.

Genomic and transmission dynamics of the 2024 Marburg Virus Outbreak in Rwanda.

The ongoing outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Rwanda marks the third largest historically, though it has exhibited the lowest fatality rate. Genomic analysis of samples from 18 cases identified a lineage with limited internal diversity, closely related to a 2014 Ugandan case. Our findings suggest that the Rwandan lineage diverged decades ago from a common ancestor shared with diversity sampled from bats in Uganda.

Capacity of Anesthesiology Residency Programs in Four East African Countries: Can Supply Meet the Demand?

Background: By 2015, 4 East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi) had identified a deficit in the number of anesthesiologists, with a mean density of 0.30 physician anesthesia providers (PAP) per 100,000 population, which was significantly lower than the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) recommended minimum of 5.0/100,000 population.

Fire Reduces Soil Nitrate Retention While Increasing Soil Nitrogen Production and Loss Globally.

Elucidating the response of soil gross nitrogen (N) transformations to fires could improve our understanding of how fire affects N availability and loss. Yet, how internal soil gross N transformation rates respond to fires remains unexplored globally. Here, we investigate the general response of gross soil N transformations to fire and its consequences for N availability and loss.

Monkeypox Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Outcomes, Public Health Implications, and Security Measures.

Background: The Monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, is responsible for the zoonotic disease known as MPX. Primarily found in western and central Africa, emerging studies indicate a shift in transmission dynamics. Ongoing MPX outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have escalated into significant public health concerns.

Belongingness in Medical Student Placements: Validation and Pilot Study of the Use of the Exeter Belongingness Assessment Tool in Belgian and English Medical Students.

Background: Belongingness is an important factor in the social development of medical students, and the ability to quantify belongingness in medical students may provide additional metrics by which we can compare different learning environments to help explore differential attainment. Previous studies looking at the measurement of belongingness have demonstrated good internal and external validity for tools designed to measure this facet of student experience. This study aimed to explore the use of the Exeter Belongingness Assessment Tool (EBAT) as one potential source of evidence in the study of student learning experience on clinical placements, which could be used to support quality assurance of clinical learning.

The role of between-group signaling in the evolution of primate ornamentation.

Gregarious mammals interact to varying degrees and in a variety of ways with neighboring groups. Since navigating this wider social environment via conventional means (social knowledge) may be challenging, we hypothesize that between-group socio-spatial dynamics have exerted strong selection on phenotypic markers of individual identity, quality, and competitive ability. Ornaments are sexually selected decorative traits with far-reaching signaling potential.

A deterministic analysis of an age-sex-structured model for malaria transmission dynamics.

Children younger than 5 years and women, especially pregnant women, are at high risk of malaria and death because of their weak immunity and exposure to mosquitoes. Several studies have considered only the age-structured model and other factors but have not considered sex. The objective of this work is to develop and analyze the malaria transmission model including this structure, to contribute to existing measures and mechanisms to eradicate malaria in Rwanda.

Worldwide prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children between 2000 and 2021: a systematic analysis.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent allergic disease that significantly impacts pediatric health.

Objective: To comprehensively describe the global, regional, and national AD prevalence trends among children aged 0-14 years from 2000 to 2021.

Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 were used to analyze AD prevalence and case numbers.