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

BackgroundAdolescent pregnancy is a global health concern. Many adolescent deaths occur due to early marriage and pregnancy. This study assessed knowledge and utilization of contraception among secondary school female adolescents at selected secondary schools in Rwamagana district.MethodsCross-sectional design using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on 117 participants selected by simple random. Analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics at 95% confidence interval, employing SPSS Version 23. Dependent variable was the use of contraceptive and independent variables were socio-demographics and knowledge variables. Bivariate analysis assessed the association between independent and dependent variables. Multivariate analysis assessed the strength of association between dependent and independent variables by computing Odds Ratio. Results are presented in tables and figures. ResultsThe majority (88%) had heard of contraception, though knowledge about contraception was inadequate (61.54%). Level of contraceptive use was low (17%). The significant independent predictors of contraceptive use were the level of education, having heard of contraception, knowledge of source of contraception, and knowledge of specific contraception methods. ConclusionHearing about contraception, was not proportionately associated with knowledge or practicing contraception among the sexually active female adolescents. There is a need to enhance sex education, youth-friendly health services, and research. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2022;5(1):71-84

BackgroundClinical experiences provide an opportunity for nursing students to integrate theoretical knowledge into practice, and analyze their learning using a theoretical model. Students do not take this opportunity unless it is intentionally included by the facilitators. These observations from the second cohort of medical surgical nursing students with their facilitators, regarding their clinical training period in selected sub-specialties at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) aimed at developing students’ analytical and observational skills while developing clinical skills.MethodsThe study involved nine medical surgical nursing students who were in different subspecialties at CHUK from 7th January up to the 20th February, 2019. Informed observational approach and concomitant reporting were used to validate their learning and gain clinical experience. The students used Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory to analyze their experience, with the focus on innovative skills.ResultsAll medical surgical nursing students reported that they improved their knowledge and skills during clinical practice, while broadening their outlook.ConclusionKolb’s Experiential Learning Theory is useful in validating and bridging theoretical learning to clinical practice.Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(3):430-436