Rwanda Public Health Bulletin

Utilization of Antenatal Care among Women in Rwamagana District, Rwanda: A Cross-sectional Study Conducted at Health Centers in 2023

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION: Optimal utilization of antenatal care (ANC) has been challenging in Rwamagana District. One of the causes is the limited availability of multifaceted information regarding ANC. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the rate of antenatal care utilization in Rwamagana District and the possible influencing factors.

METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study and through a convenient sampling method, three hundred fifty-three (353) women were selected to participate. A structured questionnaire with multiple-choice questions was used for data collection.

RESULTS: The majority (79.6% of women) began having ANC early in pregnancy, while 20.1% started having ANC in the second or third trimester. After initiation, 94.4% of the women attended ANC for the remaining trimester(s). Dropout was 3.0%, while the women who skipped the second trimester were 1.7%. Subsequently, 0.4% of the women had no ANC at all from conception up to delivery. Overall, 24.1% had <4 ANC contacts, 66.2% of women received 4 – 7 ANC contacts, and only 9.7% of women had ≥ 8 ANC contacts. The household size (P=0.035), socioeconomic status (P=0.016), place of delivery (P=0.033), and source of ANC information (P=0.013) had a significant association with ANC utilization.

CONCLUSION: Utilization of ANC has relatively been improved; it was found to be significantly influenced by household size, socioeconomic status, place of delivery, and sources of ANC information.

The Role of Community Health Workers in Influencing Family Planning Decisions among Users: A Case Study in the Ndera Sector of Gasabo District, Rwanda

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION: Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in promoting contraceptive knowledge and usage, thereby impacting fertility rates in developing nations. Understanding their contribution to family planning (FP) decisions in specific contexts, such as the Ndera sector of Gasabo District, Rwanda, is essential.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional quantitative study of 445 randomly selected family planning users that used a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of respondents were female, 53% were aged 25-34 years, and 75% were married. Educational levels ranged from primary to secondary. While CHWs were acknowledged by 97% of respondents, only 41% reported receiving adequate FP information. Statistically significant associations (p<0.001) were found between various demographic and FP-related variables, including age, marital status, FP preferences, access to FP information, satisfaction with information, educational level, and perceived barriers, and CHW’s Contribution to Family Planning Decisions.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights a lack of male involvement in FP services in Rwanda, with only 9.1% of participants reporting male involvement and suboptimal provision of family planning information by community health workers.

Predictors of Adolescent Pregnancy among 13-19 Years Old Girls in Karongi District: unmatched case-control study, 2021

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health challenge, and in Rwanda, though the percentage of adolescent girls experiencing pregnancy has decreased slightly, it remains a concern, particularly in Karongi District, with high incidences. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in Karongi district.

METHODS: A case-control study design with a 1:2 ratio of adolescent girls aged 13-19 years was carried out in Karongi District, Western Province, Rwanda. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with adolescent pregnancy. The findings were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: A total of 522 adolescent girls participated in the study. In bivariate analysis, the majority of variables were significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy. In multivariable analyses, significant factors independently associated with adolescent pregnancy were low socioeconomic status [Ubudehe category 1 (aOR = 4.6, CI = 1.47-14.28), and Ubudehe category 2 (aOR = 5.6, CI = 2.06-14.61)], lack of sexual education from parents/guardians [aOR = 4.5, CI = 1.71-11.82], peer pressure to engage in sexual intercourse (aOR = 3, CI = 1.23-7.32), first sexual intercourse at ≥ 16 years old (aOR = 32, CI = 5.98-88.52).

CONCLUSION: Low socioeconomic status, lack of sexual education from parents/guardians, peer pressure, and first-sex intercourse at ≥ 16 years old were found to be positively associated with adolescent pregnancy. Interventions focusing on increasing parental involvement in sexual health education, supporting low-income families, and addressing peer influence may play a vital role in preventing adolescent pregnancy.

Caregivers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Intestinal Parasite Prevention in Children Under 5 Years of Age in Masaka Sector, Kigali, Rwanda

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasitic infections pose a significant health burden globally, particularly in developing nations. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of caregivers regarding the prevention of intestinal parasites among children under 5 years of age in Masaka sector of Kigali, Rwanda.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using multistage sampling, incorporating purposive and simple random sampling methods to recruit 383 participants.

RESULTS: This study indicated a high level of awareness among participants regarding symptoms associated with intestinal parasites, with 86.1% recognizing vomiting and 83% acknowledging diarrhea. However, only 26.1% were aware of weight loss as a symptom. Factors such as symptom intensity, cultural differences, and educational backgrounds influenced awareness levels. Notably, 61.1% of caregivers rated preventing infections as "very important," while 26.9% considered it "extremely important," reflecting a strong consensus on safeguarding child health. Furthermore, over 70% emphasized the significance of handwashing, clean water, and sanitation in preventing intestinal parasites.

CONCLUSION: While caregivers demonstrate an understanding of common symptoms and sources of intestinal parasite infection, knowledge gaps persist regarding prevention strategies. Nonetheless, a significant majority of caregivers exhibit commendable preventive practices.

Concurring the Silent Killer: How to improve hypertension management through Innovative Knowledge Systems in Nyamasheke District, Rwanda

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

16.8% of the Rwandan population have hypertension, with the middle-aged being mostly affected. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Rwanda as the first country with the lowest hypertension treatment rate 10.5%. Controlled hypertension can reduce premature death through complications such as Cardiovascular diseases, Kidney failures, and Stroke. When healthcare providers are continuously exposed to refresher training, the hypertension control rate will rise from 37.8 to 50.1%. Increasing community NCD knowledge will be an innovative way to increase the hypertension control rate from 37.8 to 48.7%.