Browsing by Author "Mutabazi, Vincent"

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Hepatitis B and C Seroprevalence Among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Rwanda
(Oxford Univ Press , Great Clarendon St, Oxford, England, Ox2 6dp, 2015) Kateera, Fredrick; Walker, Timothy D; Mutesa, Leon; Mutabazi, Vincent; Musabeyesu, Emmanuel; Mukabatsinda, Constance; Bihizimana, Pascal; Kyamanywa, Patrick; Karenzi, Ben; Orikiiriza, Judy T
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. A pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect data on HCWs' socio-demographics, risk factors and knowledge of blood-borne infection prevention. Blood samples were drawn and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. Results Among 378 consenting HCWs, the prevalence of HBsAg positivity was 2.9% (11/378; 95% CI: 1.9 to 4.6%) and anti-HCV positivity 1.3% (5/378; 95% CI: 0.7 to 2.7%). Occupational exposure to blood was reported in 57.1% (216/378). Of the 17 participants (4.5%; 17/378) who reported having received the HBV vaccine, only 3 participants (0.8%) had received the three-dose vaccination course. Only 42 HCWs (42/378; 11.1%) were aware that a HBV vaccine was available. Most HCW (95.2%; 360/378) reported having been tested for HIV in the last 6 months. Conclusions Despite their high workplace exposure risk, HBV and HCV sero-prevalence rates among HCWs were low. The low HBV vaccination coverage and poor knowledge of preventative measures among HCWs suggest low levels of viral hepatitis awareness despite this high exposure.
Rwanda 20 Years on: Investing in Life
(Elsevier Science Inc , Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, Usa, Ny, 10169, 2014) Binagwaho, Agnes; Farmer, E. Paul; Nsanzimana, Sabin; Karema, Corine; Gasana, Michel; Ngirabega, Jean de Dieu; Ngabo, Fidele; Wagner, Claire M; Nutt, Cameron T; Nyatanyi, Thierry; Gatera, Maurice; Kayiteshonga, Yvonne; Mugeni, Cathy; Mugwaneza, Placidie; Shema, Joseph; Uwaliraye, Parfait; Gaju, Erick; Muhimpundu, Marie Aimee; Dushime, Theophile; Senyana, Florent; Mazarati, Jean Baptiste; Gaju, Cesla Muzayire; Tuyisenge, Lisine; Mutabazi, Vincent; Kyamanywa, Patrick; Rusanganwa, Vincent; Nyemazi, Jean Pierre; Umutoni, Agathe; Kankindi, Ida; Ntizimira, Christian; Ruton, Hinda; Mugume, Nathan; Nkunda, Denis; Ndenga, Espérance; Mubiligi, Joel M; Kakoma, Jean Baptiste; Karita, Etienne; Sekabaraga, Claude; Rusingiza, Emmanuel; Rich, Michael L; Mukherjee, Joia S; Rhatigan, Joseph; Cancedda, Corrado; Bertrand-Farmer, Didi; Bukhman, Gene; Stulac, Sara N; Tapela, Neo M; Holstein, Cassia van der Hoof; Shulman, Lawrence N; Habinshuti, Antoinette; Bonds, Matthew H; Wilkes, Michael S; Lu, Chunling; Smith-Fawzi, Mary C; Swain, JaBaris D; Murphy, Michael P; Ricks, Alan; Kerry, Vanessa B; Bush, Barbara P; Siegler, Richard W; Stern, Cori S; Sliney, Anne; Nuthulaganti, Tej; Karangwa, Injonge; Pegurri, Elisabetta; Dahl, Ophelia; Drobac, Peter C
Two decades ago, the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda led to the deaths of 1 million people, and the displacement of millions more. Injury and trauma were followed by the effects of a devastated health system and economy. In the years that followed, a new course set by a new government set into motion equity-oriented national policies focusing on social cohesion and people-centred development. Premature mortality rates have fallen precipitously in recent years, and life expectancy has doubled since the mid-1990s. Here we reflect on the lessons learned in rebuilding Rwanda’s health sector during the past two decades, as the country now prepares itself to take on new challenges in health-care delivery.