Performance of tetraploid bio-fortified potato clones in Rwanda

The potential of bio-fortified crops and their critical role in Rwandan diets motivated the Ministry of Agriculture through Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) to adopt a national policy of combating micro-nutrient deficiencies by developing and releasing fortified crop varieties. In this context, 37 bio-fortified potato (Solanum tuberosum) clones were introduced from the International Potato Center (CIP) and evaluated for two growing seasons in four agro-ecological zones in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The evaluation was conducted on the vegetative development traits, root yield (t/ha), dry matter content (%), iron and zinc (mg/kg) content, flesh color, processing qualities, and taste. The average yield varied between 11.5 and 20.8 tons/ha for bio-fortified potato clones, while the local checks revealed a yield ranging between 21.5 and 21.8 tons/ha. The dry matter content was between 18.9 and 25.9%, while the local check revealed a dry matter content ranging between 22.4 and 25.4%. The high iron and zinc ranking between 11.51 and 27.84 mg/kg, and 22.39 and 43.57 mg/kg, while the local checks with 5.23 to 8.12 mg/kg, and 19.17 to 21.88 mg/kg, respectively. Five biofortified clones (CIP312507.311, CIP312764.013, CIP312721.169, CIP312735.253, and CIP312682.042) revealed a chipping quality similar to Kinigi, the most popular potato variety in Rwanda. Regarding the culinary test, the clone CIP312725.057 revealed a bitter taste, ten clones were ranked as very well, and two clones were ranked as good. Regarding the farmers’ feedback, seven clones namely CIP312764.013, CIP312721.169, CIP312735.253, CIP312682.042, CIP312721.038, CIP312621.069, and CIP312637.132 were ranked as very good including the local checks Kinigi and Kirundo. Three clones (CIP312507.311, CIP312725.048, and CIP312721.286) were ranked as good, while the clones CIP312507.312 and CIP312725.057 were ranked as bad. In this study, 10 good clones were selected for further evaluation for release as the first bio-fortified potato varieties in Rwanda or used in crossing blocks for population improvement

Epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections: trends among patients screened for sexually transmitted infections in rwandan health facilities 2014–2020

Background Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are of great global health concern. Currently, there are limited epidemiological data characterizing STIs in the general population in Rwanda. We assessed the national and regional epidemiology of STIs in Rwanda from 2014–2020 among patients syndromically screened for STIs in all health facilities in Rwanda. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of the trend of STIs epidemiology among screened patients at all health facilities in Rwanda using data from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) reporting. Adult patients (15 years and over) screened for STIs between July 2014 and June 2020 were included in the analysis. Outcomes of interest were the number of individuals screened for STIs and individuals diagnosed with at least one STI with a syndromic approach only or plus a test together. Results Overall, the number of individuals screened for STIs over the study period was 5.3 million (M) in 2014–2015, 6.6 M in 2015–2016, 6.3 M in 2016–2017, 6.7 M in 2017–2018, 6.2 M in 2018–2019, and 4.9 M in 2019–2020. There was a modest increase in the number of individuals diagnosed and treated for STIs from 139,357 in 2014–15 to 202,294 (45% increase) in 2019–2020. At the national level, the prevalence of STI syndromes amongst individuals screened at health facilities in Rwanda varied between 2.37% to 4.16% during the study period. Among the provinces, Kigali city had the highest prevalence for the whole 6 years ranging from 3.46% (95%CI: 3.41, 3.51) in 2014–2015 to 8.23% (95%CI: 8.15, 8.31) in 2019–2020. Conclusion From 2014 to 2020, the number of patients screened for STI syndromes in Rwanda varied between 4.9 M and 6.7 M. However, the prevalence of STIs among screened patients increased considerably over time, which could be associated with public awareness and improved data recording. The highest prevalence of all STIs was observed in urban areas and near borders, and private clinics reported more cases, suggesting the need to improve awareness in these settings and increase confidentiality and trust in public health clinics.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofReviewedFacultyResearche

Farmers’ demand for quality and nutritionally enhanced sweetpotato planting material: Evidence from experimental auctions in Rwanda

Most farmers source sweetpotato vines from neighboring farmers or from cuttings taken from their own plots during the previous season. In the absence of “clean” vines prepared with more attentive production practices, farmer-to-farmer vine exchanges and own-saved vines tends to encourage the accumulation of pests and diseases that ultimately affect yields. In addition, the perishability and bulkiness of its primary propagation material – vines – there is relatively little articulated demand for vines through either market or non-market exchanges. In addition, demand for nutritionally rich variety and biofortified crop orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) is limited because of multiple factors including farmers’ unfamiliarity with the product and its novel attributes such as its high beta carotene content, the search costs incurred in locating the product, and information asymmetries between buyer and seller about the quality and performance of the product. We investigate demand for quality vine and nutritional attribute of the crop using a second price experimental auction approach by determine the premium price farmers are willing to pay for these attributes and investigate drivers of demand. In the absence of information on the source of vines, maturity and resistance to diseases, farmers are willing to pay a premium of about 35 Rwandan Francs for high quality vines sourced from decentralized vine multipliers. However, on provision of information on the source of vines, maturity and resistance to diseases of the vines, the premium price increases significantly to 133.71 Rwandan francs and to 107.22 Rwandan Francs after provision of visual information depicting the performance of the vines in demonstration plots. The premium price also increases significantly for vines sourced from neighbors to about 74.35 Rwandan francs, which further increases to 151.53 Rwandan francs when nutrition information is provided to the farmers. The study also revealed that demand for high quality vines is correlated with sex of household head, sex of the respondent, age of the respondent in years, household size, membership in a farmer organization, information from neighbors/other farmers, access to marshland, females make agriculture decisions in the household among other factors. In terms of policy, there is need to promote importance of quality vine and nutritional value of OFSP through sensitization on the field demonstration and nutritional values

High Prevalence of Cysticercosis in People with Epilepsy in Southern Rwanda

<div><p>Background</p><p>Neurocysticercosis (NCC), the central nervous system infection by <i>Taenia solium</i> larvae, is a preventable and treatable cause of epilepsy. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the role of NCC in epilepsy differs geographically and, overall, is poorly defined. We aimed at contributing specific, first data for Rwanda, assessing factors associated with NCC, and evaluating a real-time PCR assay to diagnose NCC in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).</p><p>Methodology/Principal findings</p><p>At three healthcare facilities in southern Rwanda, 215 people with epilepsy (PWE) and 51 controls were clinically examined, interviewed, and tested by immunoblot for cysticerci-specific serum antibodies. Additionally, CSF samples from PWE were tested for anticysticercal antibodies by ELISA and for parasite DNA by PCR. Cranial computer tomography (CT) scans were available for 12.1% of PWE with additional symptoms suggestive of NCC. The Del Brutto criteria were applied for NCC diagnosis. Cysticerci-specific serum antibodies were found in 21.8% of PWE and 4% of controls (odds ratio (OR), 6.69; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.6–58.7). Seropositivity was associated with age and lack of safe drinking water. Fifty (23.3%) PWE were considered NCC cases (definitive, based on CT scans, 7.4%; probable, mainly based on positive immunoblots, 15.8%). In CSF samples from NCC cases, anticysticercal antibodies were detected in 10% (definitive cases, 25%) and parasite DNA in 16% (definitive cases, 44%). Immunoblot-positive PWE were older (medians, 30 <i>vs.</i> 22 years), more frequently had late-onset epilepsy (at age >25 years; 43.5% <i>vs.</i> 8.5%; OR, 8.30; 95%CI, 3.5–20.0), and suffered from significantly fewer episodes of seizures in the preceding six months than immunoblot-negative PWE.</p><p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>NCC is present and contributes to epilepsy in southern Rwanda. Systematic investigations into porcine and human cysticercosis as well as health education and hygiene measures for <i>T. solium</i> control are needed. PCR might provide an additional, highly specific tool in NCC diagnosis.</p></div

Selected characteristics of PWE with NCC (defined by a positive serum immunoblot result).

*<p>cystic lesion without scolex, single or multiple ring or nodular enhancing lesion, or parenchymal round calcification <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002558#pntd.0002558-DelBrutto2" target="_blank">[14]</a>, details given in <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002558#pntd.0002558.s002" target="_blank">Table S1</a>.</p>#<p>hydrocephalus or abnormal enhancement of the leptomeninges <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002558#pntd.0002558-DelBrutto2" target="_blank">[14]</a>.</p

Diagnostic data for PWE for whom no CT scans were available and who were classified “probable NCC cases” due to positive immunoblot results, clinical manifestation, and epidemiology (n = 31).

(+)*<p>, positive only with the maximum CSF volume (1.2–1.8 ml).</p>#<p>only 0.2 ml CSF for one PCR available.</p

Odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for a positive immunoblot result in PWE.

a<p>, data are medians (range) for age and proportions (%, n/n) among PWE with and without a positive immunoblot;</p>b<p>, adjusted odds ratios originate from a logistic regression model including all shown variables, n = 211, correlation coefficient R² = 0.17.</p

Diagnostic data for all PWE with NCC according to the Del Brutto criteria.

‡<p>cystic lesion without scolex, single or multiple ring or nodular enhancing lesion, or parenchymal round calcification <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002558#pntd.0002558-DelBrutto2" target="_blank">[14]</a>, details given in <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002558#pntd.0002558.s002" target="_blank">Table S1</a>.</p>(+)*<p>, positive only with the maximum CSF volume (1.2–1.8 ml).</p>#<p>only 0.2 ml CSF for one PCR available.</p><p>n.a., no serum sample available.</p

Odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for epilepsy.

a<p>, data are medians (range) for age and proportions (%, n/n) among PWE and controls, respectively;</p>b<p>, adjusted odds ratios originate from a logistic regression model including all shown variables, n = 260, correlation coefficient R² = 0.44;</p>c<p>, data for one person with epilepsy missing;</p>d<p>, born elsewhere;</p>e<p>, data for four PWE and one control missing;</p>f<p>, removing the variable “Residence, district” from the model would lead to an aOR of 30.96 (95%CI, 4.52–212.22) for the cycticercosis immunoblot; removing the variable “Residence at current location since”, the aOR would change to 32.39 (95%CI, 4.48–234.15); removing both, the aOR would turn 36.05 (95%CI, 5.16–252.06).</p