Monitoring of clinical activities and performances by using international classifications ICD-10 and ICPC-2: Three years experience of the Kigali University Teaching Hospital, Rwanda

peer reviewedMeasuring performances of health professionals and health facilities is a difficult task. However, with the appropriate information management tools, a lot of useful information can be collected from routine data registration activities. Situated in the capital of Rwanda, the Central Kigali University Teaching Hospital developed in January 2006 its electronic patient record using both ICD10 and ICPC2 codes for the structured registration of diseases and procedures. In order to enable synoptic data analysis, individual codes have been grouped into a set of 174 disease groups (KHIRI Pathology Group Set –KPGS). To assess the activities and performances of the different clinical departments, outcome data were analyzed following a number of essential criteria: the caseload, the LOS (length of stay) load and the in-hospital mortality load. A total number of 27784 patients were admitted during the study period. On the 27784 patients a total of respectively 30609 and 29447 diagnoses were recorded in ICPC2 and ICD10. The total of hospitalization days was 395256. 2759 patients died over the 3 years study period. Four ICPC classes covered more than 10% of the encodings each: A (general) 5649, D (digestive system) 6040, L (locomotors system) 3297 and R (respiratory system) counted for 4026 registrations. Comparable results could be obtained in the corresponding ICD classes A+B, K, M+S-T and J. Linking ICD10 and ICPC2 codes to global patient data clearly enables the physicians and the hospital management to produce comparable, standardized and internationally valuable evaluations of the hospital activities and trends. It also opens the perspective of fixing objective priorities in patient management and provides an interesting starting point for comparing health professionals’ clinical performances in a standardized way

Risk factors for transmission of Salmonella Typhi in Mahama refugee camp, Rwanda: a matched case-control study

Introduction: In early October 2015, the health facility in Mahama, a refugee camp for Burundians, began to record an increase in the incidence of a disease characterized by fever, chills and abdominal pain. The investigation of the outbreak confirmed Salmonella Typhi as the cause. A casecontrol study was conducted to identify risk factors for the disease. Methods: A retrospective matched case-control study was conducted between January and February 2016. Data were obtained through a survey of matched cases and controls, based on an epidemiological case definition and environmental assessment. Odd ratios were calculated to determine the risk factors associated with typhoid fever. Results: Overall, 260 cases and 770 controls were enrolled in the study. Findings from the multivariable logistic regression identified that having a family member who had been infected with S. Typhi in the last 3 months (OR 2.7; p < 0.001), poor awareness of typhoid fever (OR 1.6; p = 0.011), inconsistent hand washing after use of the latrine (OR 1.8; p = 0.003), eating food prepared at home (OR 2.8; p < 0.001) or at community market (OR 11.4; p = 0.005) were risk factors for typhoid fever transmission. Environmental assessments established the local sorghum beer and yoghurt were contaminated with yeast, aerobic flora, coliforms or Staphylococcus. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need of reinforcement of hygiene promotion, food safety regulations, hygiene education for beverage and food handlers in community market and intensification of environmental interventions to break the transmission of S.Typhi in Mahama

Knowledge, attitude and practice of hygiene and sanitation in a Burundian refugee camp: implications for control of a Salmonella typhi outbreak

Introduction: A Salmonella typhi outbreak was reported in a Burundian refugee camp in Rwanda in October 2015. Transmission persisted despite increased hygiene promotion activities and hand-washing facilities instituted to prevent and control the outbreak. A knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of ongoing typhoid fever preventive interventions.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Mahama Refugee Camp of Kirehe District, Rwanda from January to February 2016. Data were obtained through administration of a structured KAP questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using STATA software.Results: A total of 671 respondents comprising 264 (39.3%) males and 407 (60.7%) females were enrolled in the study. A comparison of hand washing practices before and after institution of prevention and control measures showed a 37% increase in the proportion of respondents who washed their hands before eating and after using the toilet (p < 0.001). About 52.8% of participants reported having heard about typhoid fever, however 25.9% had received health education. Only 34.6% and 38.6% of the respondents respectively knew how typhoid fever spreads and is prevented. Most respondents (98.2%) used pit latrines for disposal of feces. Long duration of stay in the camp, age over 35 years and being unemployed were statistically associated with poor hand washing practices. Conclusion: The findings of this study underline the need for bolstering up health education and hygiene promotion activities in Mahama and other refugee camp settings

Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990–2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Health system planning requires careful assessment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemiology, but data for morbidity and mortality of this disease are scarce or non-existent in many countries. We estimated the global, regional, and national burden of CKD, as well as the burden of cardiovascular disease and gout attributable to impaired kidney function, for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017. We use the term CKD to refer to the morbidity and mortality that can be directly attributed to all stages of CKD, and we use the term impaired kidney function to refer to the additional risk of CKD from cardiovascular disease and gout. Methods The main data sources we used were published literature, vital registration systems, end-stage kidney disease registries, and household surveys. Estimates of CKD burden were produced using a Cause of Death Ensemble model and a Bayesian meta-regression analytical tool, and included incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, mortality, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). A comparative risk assessment approach was used to estimate the proportion of cardiovascular diseases and gout burden attributable to impaired kidney function. Findings Globally, in 2017, 1·2 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 1·2 to 1·3) people died from CKD. The global all-age mortality rate from CKD increased 41·5% (95% UI 35·2 to 46·5) between 1990 and 2017, although there was no significant change in the age-standardised mortality rate (2·8%, −1·5 to 6·3). In 2017, 697·5 million (95% UI 649·2 to 752·0) cases of all-stage CKD were recorded, for a global prevalence of 9·1% (8·5 to 9·8). The global all-age prevalence of CKD increased 29·3% (95% UI 26·4 to 32·6) since 1990, whereas the age-standardised prevalence remained stable (1·2%, −1·1 to 3·5). CKD resulted in 35·8 million (95% UI 33·7 to 38·0) DALYs in 2017, with diabetic nephropathy accounting for almost a third of DALYs. Most of the burden of CKD was concentrated in the three lowest quintiles of Socio-demographic Index (SDI). In several regions, particularly Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, the burden of CKD was much higher than expected for the level of development, whereas the disease burden in western, eastern, and central sub-Saharan Africa, east Asia, south Asia, central and eastern Europe, Australasia, and western Europe was lower than expected. 1·4 million (95% UI 1·2 to 1·6) cardiovascular disease-related deaths and 25·3 million (22·2 to 28·9) cardiovascular disease DALYs were attributable to impaired kidney function. Interpretation Kidney disease has a major effect on global health, both as a direct cause of global morbidity and mortality and as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. CKD is largely preventable and treatable and deserves greater attention in global health policy decision making, particularly in locations with low and middle SDI

Monitoring of clinical activities and performances by using international classifications ICD-10 and ICPC-2: Three years experience of the Kigali University Teaching Hospital, Rwanda

Measuring performances of health professionals and health facilities is a difficult task. However, with the appropriate information management tools, a lot of useful information can be collected from routine data registration activities. Situated in the capital of Rwanda, the Central Kigali University Teaching Hospital developed in January 2006 its electronic patient record using both ICD10 and ICPC2 codes for the structured registration of diseases and procedures. In order to enable synoptic data analysis, individual codes have been grouped into a set of 174 disease groups (KHIRI Pathology Group Set -KPGS). To assess the activities and performances of the different clinical departments, outcome data were analyzed following a number of essential criteria: the caseload, the LOS (length of stay) load and the in-hospital mortality load. A total number of 27784 patients were admitted during the study period. On the 27784 patients a total of respectively 30609 and 29447 diagnoses were recorded in ICPC2 and ICD10. The total of hospitalization days was 395256. 2759 patients died over the 3 years study period. Four ICPC classes covered more than 10% of the encodings each: A (general) 5649, D (digestive system) 6040, L (locomotors system) 3297 and R (respiratory system) counted for 4026 registrations. Comparable results could be obtained in the corresponding ICD classes A+B, K, M+S-T and J. Linking ICD10 and ICPC2 codes to global patient data clearly enables the physicians and the hospital management to produce comparable, standardized and internationally valuable evaluations of the hospital activities and trends. It also opens the perspective of fixing objective priorities in patient management and provides an interesting starting point for comparing health professionals' clinical performances in a standardized way. © of articles is retained by authors.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Monitoring of clinical activities and performances by using international classifications ICD-10 and ICPC-2: Three years experience of the Kigali University Teaching Hospital, Rwanda

Measuring performances of health professionals and health facilities is a difficult task. However, with the appropriate information management tools, a lot of useful information can be collected from routine data registration activities. Situated in the capital of Rwanda, the Central Kigali University Teaching Hospital developed in January 2006 its electronic patient record using both ICD10 and ICPC2 codes for the structured registration of diseases and procedures. In order to enable synoptic data analysis, individual codes have been grouped into a set of 174 disease groups (KHIRI Pathology Group Set –KPGS). To assess the activities and performances of the different clinical departments, outcome data were analyzed following a number of essential criteria: the caseload, the LOS (length of stay) load and the in-hospital mortality load. A total number of 27784 patients were admitted during the study period. On the 27784 patients a total of respectively 30609 and 29447 diagnoses were recorded in ICPC2 and ICD10. The total of hospitalization days was 395256. 2759 patients died over the 3 years study period. Four ICPC classes covered more than 10% of the encodings each: A (general) 5649, D (digestive system) 6040, L (locomotors system) 3297 and R (respiratory system) counted for 4026 registrations. Comparable results could be obtained in the corresponding ICD classes A+B, K, M+S-T and J. Linking ICD10 and ICPC2 codes to global patient data clearly enables the physicians and the hospital management to produce comparable, standardized and internationally valuable evaluations of the hospital activities and trends. It also opens the perspective of fixing objective priorities in patient management and provides an interesting starting point for comparing health professionals’ clinical performances in a standardized way

Risk factors associated with albuminuria in Rwanda: results from a STEPS survey

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing burden which affects every part of the world, including developing countries. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has varied etiology which can result from or complicate other NCDs such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The growing prevalence of NCDs coupled with the increasing age in most developing countries, has seen a marked increase of CKD in these settings. CKD has been described as “the most neglected NCD” and greatly affects the quality of life of patients. It also places a huge economic burden on societies. However, few epidemiological data exist, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Assessment of the prevalence of albuminuria as a marker of kidney damage and CKD progression and its main risk factors was thus needed in Rwanda. Methods This study analyzed data collected during the first STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor Surveillance (STEPS) survey in Rwanda, conducted from 2012 to 2013, to assess the prevalence of albuminuria. A multistage cluster sampling allowed to select a representative sample of the general population. Furthermore, descriptive, as well as univariable analyses and multiple logistic regression were performed to respond to the research question. Results This survey brought a representative sample of 6,998 participants, among which 4,384 (62.65%) were female. Median age was 33 years (interquartile range, IQR 26-44), and over three quarters (78.45%) lived in rural areas. The albuminuria prevalence was 105.9 per 1,000 population. Overall, semi-urban and urban residency were associated with lower odds of CKD (odds ratio, OR 0.36, CI 0.23-0.56, p<0.001 and OR 0.34, CI 0.23-0.50, p<0.001, respectively) than rural status. Being married or living with a partner had higher odds (OR 1.44 (CI 1.03-2.02, p=0.031) and OR 1.62 (CI 1.06-2.48, p=0.026), respectively) of CKD than being single. Odds of positive albuminuria were also greater among participants living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (OR 1.64, CI 1.09- 2.47, p=0.018). Gender, age group, smoking status and vegetable consumption, body mass index (BMI) and hypertension were not associated with albuminuria. Conclusion The albuminuria prevalence was estimated at 105.9 per 1,000 in Rwanda. Rural residence, partnered status and HIV positivity were identified as main risk factors for albuminuria. Increased early screening of albuminuria to prevent CKD among high-risk groups, especially HIV patients, is therefore recommended

Conclusions of the digital health hub of the Transform Africa Summit (2018): strong government leadership and public-private-partnerships are key prerequisites for sustainable scale up of digital health in Africa

Abstract Background The use of digital technologies to improve access to health is gaining momentum in Africa. This is more pertinent with the increasing penetration of mobile phone technology and internet use, and calls for innovative strategies to support implementation of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage on the continent. However, the huge potential benefits of digital health to advance health services delivery in Africa is yet to be fully harnessed due to critical challenges such as proliferation of pilot projects, poor coordination, inadequate preparedness of the African health workforce for digital health, lack of interoperability and inadequate sustainable financing, among others. To discuss these challenges and propose the way forward for rapid, cost-effective and sustainable deployment of digital health in Africa, a Digital Health Hub was held in Kigali from 8th to 9th May 2018 under the umbrella of the Transform Africa Summit 2018. Methods The hub was organized around five thematic areas which explored the status, leadership, innovations, sustainable financing of digital health and its deployment for prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa. It was attended by over 200 participants from Ministries of Health and Information and Communication Technology, Private Sector, Operators, International Organizations, Civil Society and Academia. Conclusions The hub concluded that while digital health offers major opportunities for strengthening health systems towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals including Universal Health Coverage in Africa, there is need to move from Donor-driven pilot projects to more sustainable and longer term nationally owned programmes to reap its benefits. This would require the use of people-centred approaches which are demand, rather than supply-driven in order to avoid fragmentation and wastage of health resources. Government leadership is also critical in ensuring the availability of an enabling environment including national digital health strategies, regulatory, coordination, sustainable financing mechanisms and building of the necessary partnerships for digital health. Recommendations We call on the Smart Africa Secretariat, African Ministries in charge of health, information and communication technology and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the key recommendations of the hub are implemented