Background Around 443,000 pregnant women are at risk of malaria each year in Rwanda. LLINs are freely distributed to women at health centers during antenatal care visit and vaccination services. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to explore pregnant women’s knowledge and factors associated to LLINs use in five cells of Tumba sector. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed with Chi-square test to assess the association between LLINs ownership and utilization of LLINs. Results All respondents had high knowledge and knew that sleeping under LLINs helps to avoid mosquito bites whereas 381 (99.2%) knew that the use of LLIN helps to fight against the burden of malaria. LLIN ownership was 323 (84.1%) while usage was 283 (87.6%) among LLINs owners. LLIN ownership is significantly influenced by the level of education (p=0.001) and utilization (p=0.001). Although LLINs coverage was high, its utilization was low. Sixty-one respondents (15.9 %) do not have LLINs and 84 (22%) of respondents had low knowledge on LLINs. Conclusion Regular training on LLINs may increase awareness of pregnant women on the benefits of LLIN utilization. Keywords: Malaria; Households; Long-lasting insecticidal nets; Ownership; Rwanda

Background Diarrheal diseases remain an important cause of morbidity among children, particularly in children under five years old, in low-and middle-income countries where it causes nearly 1.7 billion cases every year. Methods We used a quantitative cross-sectional design. This study aimed to explore the determinants of child diarrhea among under five-year children in Rwanda. A deep analysis of the 2014-2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS), with multivariate logistic regression, using stata13 was performed. The 2014-2015 Survey was the fifth standard national survey, implemented by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) in a period of six months from November 2014 to April 2015. Results A sample of 2841 children under five years old were included. Chi-square test and logistic regression were performed. A significance level of 0.05 at 95% CI was considered. Child age and wealth index showed a strong association with diarrhea. Children in the age groups of 6-11, 12-23, 24-35 months were at higher risk of diarrhea than children aged 48-59 months,

Background Increasing access to water sanitation and promoting basic hygiene behaviours can reduce the burden of diarrheal diseases. Availability of clean water and soap enables and encourages people to wash their hands, and as a result, it reduces the likelihood of disease transmission. The study intended to assess the hygiene and sanitation practices in Southern Rwanda. Methods A mixed method with quantitative and qualitative approach was used. A random sample of 291 households was included in the study.  Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and observations were used. The data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results The findings show that 88% of respondents had knowledge on best practices of hand washing with soap; 83.5% of the respondents own latrines, and 38% and 26% had the will to improve their toilets roof and slabs respectively. Forty-four per cent of respondents use boiling water methods and 55% do not treat water at all. Boiling water was regarded as the main water treatment method. Conclusion The study concludes that lack of water and soaps, and hand washing facilities were among other factors that hinder hygiene and sanitation. Key words: Hygiene; sanitation practice

Background Every year, over 312 million surgical operations are performed globally. While perioperative goal-directed fluid strategy may reduce postoperative complications among patients undergoing major surgery, poor perioperative fluids management has been linked to adverse postoperative patients’ outcome. Methods This study used quantitative prospective design to assess the perioperative fluids management in 133 patients operated in the theatre of University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB). The SPSS 21 was used to analyze the data, Chi-square test was performed to assess the association between fluid administered and patients’ hydration status with an acceptable cutoff at p<0.05. Results The findings showed that 108 (81.2%) and 25 (18.8%) participants were in dehydration class A and B before surgery and strongly associated with age, surgeries, type and amount of intraoperative fluids. Participants received RL and NS (67.7%), 2091.73 ml, +803.6 ml and lost 218.42+131.9 ml fluid in average. Postoperatively, 53.4% and 46.6% participants were in dehydration class A and B respectively, strongly associated with type and duration of surgery (P<0.05). All participants fasted more than 6 hours. Conclusion The dehydration rate increased intraoperatively in relation to type and duration of surgery and type and amount of fluid administered. Reduced fasting time and effective intraoperative fluid management would improve the patients’ hydration after surgery and postoperative patients’ outcome. Key words: Major Surgery, Elective Surgery, Perioperative care, Fluid management, patients