Digital media and democratization: The role of x in promoting participatory democracy in Rwanda.

Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of digital media\u27s impact on democracy, this study explored the nuanced relationship between X and participatory democracy in Rwanda. Anchored on the Theory of Public Sphere and New Media Theory, this research shed light on the multifaceted interactions between citizens and politicians on X in Rwanda. By quantifying the interactions between politicians and citizens, finding out whether accountability mechanisms exist on the platform, and citizen-driven concerns; the study aimed to offer a comprehensive understanding of X\u27s role in promoting participatory democracy in Rwanda. Situated within the Rwandan political context, this study gains significance as it navigates the unexplored ground of X\u27s role in democratic practices within a country with a complex political history. The emergence of X as a platform for official communication and citizen engagement in Rwanda underscores the urgency of assessing its contribution to accountability and discourse within a rapidly evolving political landscape. Employing the quantitative content analysis method, this research examined the frequency of interactions and recurring concerns that emerge from citizen-politician interactions. The quantitative approach enabled a nuanced exploration of the issues that occupy the center of political accountability discourse. Findings revealed that politicians engage either frequently or occasionally on X in interactions that gives citizens the capability to hold them accountable in shaping citizens’ priorities. The study also found that various subjects are discussed on X in Rwanda, where politics and social interactions take the lead. By synthesizing the perspectives of the Theory of Public Sphere and New Media Theory, this research offers practical insights for policymakers and digital media practitioners seeking to enhance democratic engagement

Climate change perception, crop diversification and land use change among small-scale farmers in the Midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa : behavioural and microeconomic analyses.

Ph. D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2015.The future of small-scale agriculture in South Africa is facing the challenges of high population growth, land degradation, and agro-biodiversity loss. In the Midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the challenges are exacerbated by climate change (CC). Agricultural land use change (ALUC) is among farm-level options to exploit the synergy between local adaptation and global mitigation of CC, whilst restoring degraded lands and agro-biodiversity reservoirs. The literature contends that the pathways to climate-resilient sustainable land use start with the farming sector’s vulnerability to CC, and translate into behavioural change through farmers’ perceptions about the climate risk. Two major steps characterize behavioural response to changing distributions of weather patterns. Behavioural responses to CC begin with reducing the vulnerability to climatic variability (e.g. by using tactical adjustments such as crop diversification), followed by forward-looking integration of adaptation and mitigation into farm planning (e.g. through ALUC). The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic and detailed understanding of climate-driven ALUC in the setting of small-scale farming in South Africa. Taking the Midlands region of KZN as an illustrative case, this study aimed (i) to explore some meso-level aspects of climate-related agricultural vulnerability; (ii) to investigate the perceptions of small-scale farmers about CC and their socio-psychological, institutional and cultural determinants; (iii) to analyse the farmland use systems and assess the microeconomic determinants of seasonal crop diversification; and (iv) to assess the attitudes of small-scale farmers towards land use and the constraints governing ALUC decision-making. To assess the meso-level vulnerability of farming sector to CC in the Midlands region of KZN, an indicator approach was adopted. Various aspects of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of the farming sector were explored using a systematic review of available empirical evidence. The review suggested that the farming sector is exposed to a warming and wetting climate. The reviewed evidence also suggested that the farming sector is highly sensitive to CC due to high population densities, high rates of small-scale farming, low irrigation rates and susceptibility to land degradation. Nevertheless, diversified crop portfolios remain a major aspect of resilience among small-scale farmers. The reviewed evidence further indicated that farmers’ adaptive capacity is confounded by inadequate access to infrastructure, rural exodus, skills shortages, poor health status, and low level of social capital. The remaining objectives were empirically investigated based on primary data from a household survey of 152 small-scale farmers in the uMshwati local municipality. With regard to the second objective, a principle component analysis (PCA) of eight variables of perceived seasonal climatic abnormality yielded two dominant perceptual shapes. CCP1 score captured the extent to which an individual farmer perceives the winter season as cooling and the summer season as warming and drying. CCP2 score captured the extent to which an individual farmer perceives the winter season as warming and wetting, and summer season as drying. The results of a Double-Hurdle (DH) model showed that the probability of perceiving abnormal trends in the local seasonal climate increases with holistic affect, egalitarian worldviews, age, female-headedness and hilly and wetter agro-ecological regions, and decreases with education. The model results also showed that the CCP1 score increases with holistic affect and other factors related to personal experience such as age and distance to the river, signifying experience-based learning. The results further showed that CCP2 score increases with cognitive ability (knowledge) and related socio-demographic factors such as education, extension and trust, indicating analytic processing of climate information. With regard to the third objective, a two-stage cluster analysis of land use data unveiled a diversified farmland use matrix characterised by a maize-beans inter-cropping system coexisting with of mixed crop-livestock, sugarcane and timber mono-cropping systems. After accounting for potential endogeneity biases, the results of a logit transformation model showed positive effects of labour and landholding on the intensity of multiple-cropping among poorer and richer households, suggesting that responding to technological constraints is an important driver of seasonal crop diversification. Furthermore, the results showed that the intensity of multiple-cropping among richer households decreases with education due to faster shadow wage rise at higher farm assets position. Among poorer households, the intensity of crop diversification decreases with off-farm occupation and increases with distance to water sources, suggesting that mitigating income and production risks are key motivations for crop diversification. Regarding the fourth objective, the results of a Mixed-multinomial Logit model that accounts for potential endogeneity biases showed that the decisions about ALUC from seasonal crops towards forestry or sugarcane cultivation are rationally derived and driven by clear but heterogeneous preferences and trade-offs between crop productivity, food security, and labour requirements. These motivations override income generation and ecological sustainability incentives, the common policy foci in South Africa. The model results also indicated that the utility of planting sugarcane increases with size of landholding, suggesting economies of size. The preference for forest plantation decreases with household size, a Chayanov-like afforestation pattern. Furthermore, the results indicated that the preference for ALUC increases with the proportion of ALUC in the community/ward (suggesting peer group influence) and hilly and wetter agro-ecological conditions (due to higher land conversion cost and acute soil erosion). The empirical findings of this study pointed to the need for designing a region-specific CC communication strategy that involves affected farmers and locally trusted agricultural extensions agents, and aligns the information content to local beliefs, values and norms. The findings also inferred that reduced agro-biodiversity loss and enhanced resilience in the face of the increasing climatic variability through crop diversification could be major co-benefits of the ongoing land reform, and explicit strategies should focus on regions with widespread poverty and dryland farming. For supporting ALUC towards farmland afforestation, the findings advocated the promotion of timber-based agroforestry systems as an effective strategy to align public goals with private incentives. The findings further advocated incentive-based afforestation schemes (such as payment for ecosystem services) designed on a per-capita or equivalent-consumption basis and targeting farms located in regions with steeper slopes and higher climate variability

Assessment of microbiological changes during production of malted and fermented finger millet flour

Finger millet is widely consumed as porridge though not commercially grown in Rwanda. Traditional techniques of malting and fermentation are found to enhance bioavailability of nutrients. Hence the study aimed to assess microbiological changes among non-malted, malted and malted and fermented flour. Grains were purchased from local market and subjected to malting and milled. A portion of the malted milled flour was subjected to fermentation by mixing with water in the ratio of 2:1; and then allowed to auto ferment at 30°C for 48 hours. The fermented dough was mechanically dried and then milled into flour. All three samples of flours were microbiologically studied using Total Plate Count (TPC), Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), yeasts and moulds count. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel and results were presented as Logarithm of colony forming unit per gram (log cfu/g). Analysis showed that LAB greatly increased from 4.66 log cfu/g, 6 log Cfu/g to 6.24 log cfu/g while TPC greatly decreased from 5.69 log cfu/g, 5 log cfu/g and to 4.84 log cfu/g in non-malted, malted and malted and fermented flour respectively. Yeasts count also varied from non-malted, malted flour and to malted and fermented flour with results of 3.3 log cfu/g, 4.66 log cfu/g and 3.9 log cfu/g respectively. Moulds were absent in non-malted and malted flour while they were found to be low in malted and fermented finger millet flour.Keywords: Finger millet, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), yeasts, moulds, malting, fermentatio

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TUBERCULOSIS OCCURRENCE AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING MUHIMA DISTRICT HOSPITAL, NYARUGENGE DISTRICT, RWANDA

Tuberculosis (TB) is one the serious public health problems globally and locally and killed at least eight million in 2018 (WHO, 2019). TB is a curable disease if well treated and followed. One of the most key considerations for tracking and evaluating TB prevention and control programs is the prevalence and related risk factors. The study adopted a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional retrospective design to collect data from the respondents. A systematic sampling technique was used and secondary data recorded in the laboratory were collected. Specific objectives were: to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis among patients attending Muhima District Hospital in Nyarugenge District, and to identify behavioral factors associated with TB occurrence among patients attending Muhima District Hospital in Nyarugenge District. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data. The total number of respondents was 2161 patients. The majority, were male 1524(70.5%) and female were 637(29.5%). For the age, those less than 9 years were 19(.9%), between 10-17 years 76(3.5%), between 18-35 years 1185(54.8%), between 36-59 years 843(39.0%), and above 60 years 38(1.8%). Those who were married were 1014(47%), singles were 977(45.2%), and widower were 57(2.6%). For employment, 883(40.9%) were unemployed, 845(39.1%) were employed, 206(9.5%) were students, and 227(10.4%) were prisoners. Based on location, 1181(54.7%) were from urban areas, and 980(45.3%) were from rural areas. The prevalence of TB was 7.2%, out of which the females were 53(34.0%) and males were 103(66.0%). The prevalence of TB among HIV patients was 32.6%. For behavior practices, drinking alcohol was found among 908(42.0%) and smokers were 186(8.6%). For all the predictors of TB occurrence, none of them was statistically associated with TB occurrence. These include demographic characteristics, behavioral factors including use of alcohol, smoking and use of tobacco products, and serology. The prevalence of TB among patients attending Muhima District was higher than the National TB prevalence estimates reported by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2019), respectively 7.2% versus 5.2%. All predictors of TB occurrence including demographic characteristics and behavioral factors none of them was associated with TB occurrence. It is worth recommending a further study to understand in-depth risk factors for TB occurrence in the era of epidemiological transition.  Article visualizations

CODE-SWITCHING AND CODE-MIXING IN THE ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS (A SOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS)

In the context of EFL teaching and learning processes, the study sought to: (1) characterize the form of code switching; (2) characterize the causative factors of code switching; (3) characterize the form of code mixing; and (4) characterize the causative factors of code mixing (a sociolinguistic analysis). Year two semester two for students pursuing Bachelor of Arts with Education in Kibogora Polytechnic took part in this study. Data cards and recording devices were employed as research instruments. Recording and transcription techniques are used in the data collection process. The study's findings showed that code-switching occurs in EFL teaching and learning processes when students convert from Kinyarwanda to English (external form) and from English to Kinyarwanda (internal form). On the other hand, word, phrase, and sentence-level code mixing occurs. The speaker's objectives and purpose, the speech environment, the presence of a third party, changing the subject, and the speaker's personality are the elements that cause code-switching. In the meantime, limited code usage, habits, function and purpose, and elements about speakers' multilingualism are what lead to code-mixing.  Article visualizations

VPS51 biallelic variants cause microcephaly with brain malformations: A confirmatory report

International audienc

Pattern of congenital heart diseases in Rwandan children with genetic defects

Introduction: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are commonly associated with genetic defects. Our study  aimed at determining the occurrence and pattern of CHD association with genetic defects among pediatric  patients in Rwanda.Methods: A total of 125 patients with clinical features suggestive of genetic defects were recruited. Echocardiography and standard karyotype studies were performed in all patients.Results: CHDs were detected in the majority of patients with genetic defects. The commonest isolated CHD was ventricular septal defect found in many cases of Down syndrome. In total, chromosomal abnormalities represented the majority of cases in our cohort and were associated with various types of CHDs.Conclusion: Our findings showed that CHDs are common in Rwandan pediatric patients with genetic defects. These results suggest that a routine echocardiography assessment combined with systematic genetic  investigations including standard karyotype should be mandatory in patients presenting characteristic clinical features in whom CHD is suspected to be associated with genetic defect.Key words: Congenital heart disease, genetic defects, pediatric patients, Rwand

Farm income effects of regional crop specilization in Rwanda

In consideration of the chronic poverty of farmers in Rwanda as well as in other developing countries where self-sufficient agriculture is practiced, this study examines what the well studied theory of specialization and trade, if implemented, could bring to Rwandan farmers in terms of production and profits.To attain this objective, a spatial optimization model with linear programming was built and used to maximize the potential production and net returns which were compared to those from the traditional system. The model was built in a way that it also shows the pattern of trade and quantities traded.The results show that a regional specialization system would allow, on the national level, more production, higher net returns, and more trade than the traditional system (self-sufficient agriculture) as expected according to the theory of specialization and trade. Nevertheless, the net return in some regions decreases in the new system, which necessitates a compensation plan for those regions.However, it has to be noted that despite these gains, the adoption of the new plans requires a consideration of many other factors that are not covered in this study. Of those factors, the most obvious are the need to improve the transportation and marketing infrastructure, changing farmers' attitudes and objectives towards commercial agriculture, and securing equity, security, and sustainability in the system

A Survey Study On Neurocysticercosis Epidemiology In A Rwandan Hospital

Background: Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection that results from ingestion of eggs from the adult tapeworm, Taenia solium (T.solium).When Cysticercosis involves the central nervous system, it is called neurocysticercosis; it is the most prevalent infection of the brain and one of the leading causes of adult-onset seizures woldwide. The disease has a world-wide distribution and is endemic in Mexico, Central and South America, and parts of Africa, Asia, and India with an estimated 20 million persons infected with cysticerci yearly worldwide. The study aimed at determining the epidemiological and clinical profile of neurocysticercosis at BUTH. Methods: It is a retrospective descriptive study carried out on patients admitted/treated for neurocysticercosis in Internal Medicine/Neurology Department of BUTH for a period of eighteen months, from February 01, 2008 to July 31, 2009. Registers and files for patients were consulted to collect data and MS Word 2007, Epi data 3.1, SPSS 14.0 are the software used. Results: Out of 2387 patients admitted in Internal Medicine during our study period 34 were diagnosed and treated for neurocysticercosis i.e. a hospital prevalence rate estimated at 1.4% in the department of Internal Medicine/Neurology, and our study noted an increase in number of cases diagnosed since 2008; patients from Huye and Nyaruguru districts are the most affected. Epilepsy was present in 24 patients (70.5%), headache in 18 patients (52.9%). CT-scan was an important tool to confirm the diagnosis. Albendazole plus corticosteroids (dexamethasone or prednisolone) and antiepileptics if seizures are the common means used to treat neurocysticercosis at BUTH; neurosurgery was required in three patients. Conclusion: Neurocysticercosis is a common diagnosis in the department of Internal Medicine/Neurology at BUTH. Epilepsy and headache are the commonest presenting complaints and the diagnosis is made by the means of brain CT-scan; the treatment is based on albendazole and corticosteroids. It is a potentially preventable disease and preventive strategies such as more intense meat inspection and preparation, improvement of hygiene standards and vaccination against T.solium should be undertaken. A study on the community prevalence is necessaryIntroduction: La cysticercose est une infection parasitaire résultant d’une ingestion des oeufs d’un ver de porc adulte, Taenia solium . On appelle neurocysticercose la localisation de cette infection au niveau du système nerveux centrale; c’est l’infection la plus fréquente du cerveau et l’une des premières causes de l’épilepsie à l’âge adulte dans le monde entier. La maladie est répartie dans le monde entier et est endémique au Mexique, en Amérique latine, en Afirique , en Asie et sur le sous-continent indien avec environ 20 millions de personnes atteintes de cysticercose chaque année dans le monde. Notre étude avait comme objectif, déterminer le profil épidémiologique et clinique de la neurocysticercose au CHUB. Méthodologie: C’est une étude descriptive retrospective menée sur les patients admis ou traités pour la neurocysticercose au département de Médecine Interne/Neurologie du CHUB pour une période de 18 mois, depuis le 01/02/2008 au 31/07/2009. Les registres et dossiers des patients ont été consultés pour la collecte des données et les logiciels MS Word 2007, Epi data 3.1, SPSS 14.0 pour le traitement des textes et analyse des données. Résultats: Sur un total de 2387 patients admis en Médicine Interne au cours de la période d’étude, 34 ont été diagnostiqués et traités pour la neurocysticercose soit un taux de prévalence de l’hopital estimé à 1.4% dans le département de Médecine Interne/Neurologie et nous avons remarqué une augmentation du nombre de cas diagnostiqués depuis l’année 2008; les patients originaires des districts Huye et Nyaruguru sont les plus touchés. L’épilepsie était présente chez les 24 patients (70.5%), céphalées chez 18 patients (52.9%). Le scanner a été l’outil important pour le diagnostic positif. L’albendazole plus les corticoïdes (dexamethasone ou prednisolone) et les antiepileptiques en cas de crises convulsives sont la base de traitement de la neurocysticercose au CHUB; la neurochirurgie était indiquée chez trois patients. Conclusion: La neurocysticercose est un diagnostic commun dans le département de Neurologie au CHUB. Epilepsie et céphalées sont les motifs de consultation les plus fréquents et le diagnostic est fait à l’aide du scanner cérébral.La base du traitement est fait par l’albendazole et les corticoïdes . C’est une maladie potentiellement évitable et les mésures préventives telles que l’inspection et la préparation plus rigoureuses de viande, l’amélioration des conditions d’hygiène et la vaccination contre le T.solium devraient être entreprises. Une étude de prévalence sur toute la population du pays est nécessaire

Interbank market and monetary policy in Rwanda

The paper explores the influence of the banks’ network characteristics on the spread between the interbank market rate and the central bank rate and, therefore, on the monetary policy transmission. The paper models daily spread at the bank level as a function of bank positions in the interbank network and other bank features in a panel setup. The findings suggest that high centrality in the network market seems to back the monetary policy transmission by narrowing the spread. However, some contradiction in the direction of this influence can emerge as the findings also indicate that the relationship-borrowing and diversification of lenders push up the spread and do not support the transmission of monetary policy. To improve the latter, the central bank should support initiatives that create more hub-banks or encourage banks to actively participate in the interbank market and increase the dynamism that supports the transmission