Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41419796›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of emergency medicine2025

Epidemiology of selected communicable diseases in Rwanda: a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of major infectious diseases in Rwanda.

Olivier Uwishema, Lydia Daniel Bisetegn, Pascaline Munezero, Courage Chandipwisa, Gerard Nkurunziza, Chinyere Vivian Patrick Onyeaka, Jean Nepo Utumatwishima

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of emergency medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Olivier UwishemaDepartment of Research and Education, Oli Health Magazine Organization, Kigali, Rwanda. uwolivier1@gmail.com.
Lydia Daniel BisetegnDepartment of Research and Education, Oli Health Magazine Organization, Kigali, Rwanda.
Pascaline MunezeroSchool of Health in Social Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Courage ChandipwisaDepartment of Research and Education, Oli Health Magazine Organization, Kigali, Rwanda.
Gerard NkurunzizaGeneral Medicine Department, Health Sector Employee of the City of Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Chinyere Vivian Patrick OnyeakaEmergency Department, Watford General Hospital, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford, UK.
Jean Nepo UtumatwishimaDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlegrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCommunicable diseases remain a major public health challenge in Rwanda, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Despite notable progress in reducing the burden of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, recent threats, including Marburg virus infections and other emerging outbreaks, underscore the need for renewed vigilance and strengthened disease control strategies. Transmission occurs through direct or indirect contact and is influenced by socioeconomic, environmental, and demographic factors. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of selected communicable diseases (Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Diarrheal Illnesses, and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Rwanda, highlights past successes, and proposes evidence-based recommendations for future control efforts.

methodsA comprehensive search was conducted using multiple sources, including PubMed/Medline, the World Health Organization (WHO) database, demographic surveys, scientific journals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) databases, and Rwanda’s Health Management Information System (HMIS). Studies were included if they were published between 2010 and 2024, focused on Africa, particularly Rwanda, and were available as free full-text. The most reported diseases across these studies were HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrhoeal illnesses, reflecting their dominance in Rwanda’s epidemiological profile. Findings relevant to the review objectives were summarised and organized thematically as a narrative literature review.

resultsThe incidence of malaria has dramatically decreased from 5.9 million in 2017 to 857,000 in 2022, highlighting the effectiveness of public health efforts in addressing this issue. However, HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious public health concern, with an adult prevalence rate of 3.0%. Although the distribution of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been extremely successful, the programmes dependence on external funding threatens long-term sustainability. Inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices have resulted in high rates of diarrhoeal infections among children under five, most of which are caused by microorganisms in contaminated water.

conclusionPublic health initiatives successfully implemented in Rwanda have controlled infectious diseases. The techniques used include providing long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, engaging community health workers in detecting illnesses, and directly monitoring tuberculosis treatment adherence. However, to further reduce mortality, issues such as the need for sustained funding, the reliance of HIV/AIDS programmes on external financing, and antimicrobial resistance in malaria and tuberculosis must be addressed more effectively. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

EpidemiologyHealthcareHIV/AIDSInfectious diseasesRwanda

Identifiers

PMID41419796
PMCPMC12746615

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.