Introductionin Rwanda, despite different interventions to improve child nutrition status, malnutrition in children under five years of age continue to be a public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the factors that contribute to childhood stunting by assessing feeding practices of Rwandans in children ≤ 2 years of age.MethodsA cross-sectional study with data obtained from the 2010 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey was conducted on 1,634 children ≤ 2 years of age with complete anthropometrical measurements. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between feeding practices and childhood stunting.ResultsThe results revealed that 35.1% of 1,634 children were stunted. Breastfeeding for 1 year (OR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.91-4.01, P < 0.001) increased the risk of childhood stunting. After controlling for confounders, solid food initiation (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 0.47-3.16, P≥ 0.690) and early initiation to breastfeeding (OR = 1.16, CI = 0.90-1.51, P = 0.243) were not associated with childhood stunting.ConclusionThere was a significant association between continued breastfeeding for 1 year and childhood stunting. We suggest supplementary feeding for children who are breastfed for ≥1 year.

Background Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a significant health burden in high-income countries and emerging in sub-Sahara African countries, including Rwanda. Prevention and treatment of T2DM are imperative and need to focus on functional health literacy and self-care practices among people with diabetes. Objective To determine if functional health literacy is associated with self-care behaviors among T2DM patients. Method This study was a descriptive cross-sectional design conducted at a University Teaching Hospital in Kigali. The sample comprised of 223 T2DM patients recruited from the university outpatient department. The questionnaire was developed from two studies.  Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results Results indicated a low-level of functional health literacy, with a wide range of scores from 6.5% to 93.5%, and a mean of 51.66 (SD 15.77).The majority of 123 (55.3%) had inadequate functional health literacy and self-care behaviors. There was a strong association between functional health literacy and self-care behaviors (p < 0.001). Conclusion The level of functional health literacy among T2DM patients needs to be increased and patients should be highly encouraged to adhere to self-care behaviors. Future research could involve an interventional study to discover the best method to educate T2DM patients. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; functional health literacy; self-care behaviors; patients T2DM; sub-Saharan Africa

Background Access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information during adolescence has become a global concern. This study explored factors that enable or prevent young adolescents from accessing to SRHR information from the perspective of the key informants in Rwanda. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 16 purposively selected key informants from public and private institutions in Rwanda. This selection was based on their positions and expertise in delivering SRHR information to adolescents. The interview guide questions were designed based on the social-ecological theoretical framework of adolescent health. The interview transcripts were recorded, transcribed, translated and thematically analysed in Nvivo 11. Results The study reflected that multiple enablers and barriers at the individual, relationship, community and societal levels determined young adolescents’ access to SRHR information. These determinants include information-seeking behaviour and age of starting sexuality education at the individual level; and parents’ limited communication with young adolescents due to taboos, lack of skills, limited parental availability, beliefs, lack of appropriate language and peer norms at the relationships level. Enablers and barriers at the community level were the diversity of SRHR sources, the scope of sexuality education programmes, and cultural and religious beliefs. Finally, the perceived enablers and barriers at the societal level consisted of inadequate resources, inappropriate SRHR policy-making processes and unfriendly SRHR laws. Conclusion Enabling access to SRHR information requires addressing multiple factors within the social-ecological environment of young adolescents. Addressing these factors may facilitate improved access to SRHR information for this age group.

Background Breastfeeding in the first hour post birth can decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality. Disease prevention and health outcomes differ immensely between newborns who receive human milk and those who do not. Rwanda has high breastfeeding rates, though factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) are unknown. Objective To assess factors associated with EIBF among mothers in immediate postpartum units at two hospitals. Methods A cross-sectional study design and a convenience sample of 187 mothers were used. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. A Chi-square test showed the relationship between EIBF and sociodemographic factors. Results The findings showed less than one quarter (20.5%) breastfed within the first hour after birth. The majority was < 25 years (52.4%), had some primary education (27.7%) employed (66.7%), urban dweller (58.1%), attendance of one ANC visit or more (81.3%), vaginal birth (58.8%), and did not receive EIBF health education (92.0%). The majority (78.5%) was too tired to initiate breastfeeding, and many supplemented (41.9%) due to perceived insufficient breastmilk. Conclusion Most mothers did not initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. Sociodemographic factors were associated with EIBF. A program to promote, protect, and support EIBF is urgently needed the community. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2020;3(2):181-192