Background: Malaria presents a diagnostic challenge in most tropical countries including Rwanda. Microscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing malaria, however, it is labour intensive and depends upon the skill of the examiner. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (MRDTs) have been developed as an easy, convenient alternative to microscopy. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from October to November 2019 on 130 febrile patients who were directed to the laboratory department for blood screening for malaria parasites at Byumba Health centre. The main objective of this study was to correlate Microscopy and MRDTs in diagnosis of malaria. Results: After signing a consent form, Blood samples were collected and screened for malaria parasites microscopically and by using MRDTs. Data collection forms were filled with relevant information and obtained results for MRDTs and for peripheral blood smear were recorded. The collected data were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9 software. The mean age found to be 16 years old. In this study peripheral blood smear microscopy was considered as a reference method. The sensitivity and specificity of RDT Histidine–Rich Protein 2 (HRP-2) were calculated and found to be 96.6% and 60% respectively. The negative predictive value was found to be 92.85% where positive predictive value was 73.3%. Conclusion: MRDTs should be used along with microscopy to avert complications associated with delayed diagnosis and similar studies are required to identify alternative techniques with high specificity for the diagnosis of malaria.

Background:Viral hepatitis is an infection affecting the liver and causing its inflammation due to viruses mostly hepatitis B and C viruses. Hepatitis B and C virus infections are serious global health issue leading to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hepatitis B and C virus can lead to liver damage, liver cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. These infections are serologically characterized by the presence of HCV-Ab and HBsAg in serum.Objectives:The objective was to assess hepatitis B and C viral infections and associated risk factors among patients attended Rwanda Military Hospital.Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study and was carried out between September 2016 and November 2016. A total of 100 participants were eligible in the research based on inclusion Criteria. HCV-Ab and HBsAg were detected using rapid diagnostic tests with immunochromatographic method and positive samples were confirmed using Cobas e411 analyzer, with electrochemiluminescence method. The results for Hepatitis B and C were statistically analyzed using SPSS 16.0.Results: The results of the present study show that hepatitis B and C infections prevalence were high and several risk factors for HCV and HBV were reported. The statistics show that HCV prevalence was higher than that of HBV with 20% and 17% respectively. Age and marital status were the only significant risk factors for Hepatitis C (Age,x 2 =17.389, df=3, p=0.001, Marital status,x 2 =11.096, df=3 p= 0.01). The lack of vaccination against HBV was the only significant risk factor for HBV (x=4.496, df=1, p=0.034). Conclusion:There was no Hepatitis B and C co-infection among the patients.Several risk factors for hepatitis B and C were reported. Education of the population about HCV and HBV infections, screening and vaccination, were urgently recommended in order to prevent and cut down the HBV and HCV infections.