La réécriture de l'histoire du Rwanda à travers la littérature post-génocide. Etude de cas de trois romans africains d'expression francaise.

Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.After the Rwandan genocide in 1994 which irrefutably imposed itself as a reference in history, many books (researches and fiction) were published exposing varied opinions and views. It is an important source which is studied by different fields of knowledge, such as linguistics, literary studies, sociology, psychology and politics. Our study aimed to analyse ties between post-genocide fictional novels on Rwanda and the history of Rwanda. The main objectives of this dissertation (La réécriture de l’histoire du Rwanda à travers la littérature post-génocide. Etude de cas de trois romans africains d’expression française) are to study how knowledge of the history can help to understand these narratives and how these narratives can shed new light on history. In order to analyse this, we did a case study of three representative novels from Francophone Africa which we analysed confronting them to some historical sources. The novels are: - Ndwaniye, Joseph, (2007), La Promesse faite à ma soeur. Bruxelles: Les impressions nouvelles; - Monénembo,Tierno, (2000), L'Aîné des orphelins. Paris: Seuil, and - Diop, Boubacar Boris, (2000), Murambi, le livre des ossements. Paris: Stock. This study is a literary analysis and used a qualitative research method though an interpretive paradigm. As a main output and an answer to one of our research questions about common points between the post-genocide literature on Rwandan and the History of Rwanda, we discovered that in fact by the treatment of time and other writing processes used by the writers, they actually rewrote six important periods in the history of Rwanda: Pre-colonial absolute monarchy, the colonialism, the first and second Republics, the genocide and the post-genocide. These periods are clearly represented in the three novels, even if this may not be the intension of the writer and may be independent to his point of view on history. Matching the present with the past helps to revisit history. It shows how the historical context plays an important role in understanding post-genocide literature on Rwanda, and seen that this literature is discussing the genocide, it ends up delivering some points of view which are important for historians. This may assist in using literature for historical purposes and vice-versa

Does contract farming improve Cassava production, price determination and farmer’s income in Ruhango district in Rwanda?

This study analyses the impact of contract farming on cassava production, price determination and farmer’s income in Ruhango district in Rwanda. It uses a participatory assessment method using an interactive tool commonly named “it takes two to tango”. Data were collected from cassava farmers and a Cassava Processing Plant employees. The findings show that the contract farming did not contribute to cassava production improvement. The contract farming did not help in the availability and accessibility of agricultural inputs such as planting material and fertilizer used in cassava farming. Findings of the study also show that the contract farming did not lead to mutual cassava price determination. Regarding the income, farmers indicated that the contract farming did not lead to the increase in income. The Cassava Processing Plant should support the farmers in improving cassava production through the training on land preparation, management of the planting material, fertilizing, cropping, weeding and harvesting. The price of fresh cassava should be fully determined together by the farmers and the Cassava Processing Plant. Improvement in cassava production and mutual price determination should help the farmers to have consistent income. Keywords: Contract farming, Cassava production, Cassava Processing Plant, Rwand

Hemodialysis care by nurses: exploration of performance factors at four nephrology units in Rwanda

Background: Hemodialysis is the most standard method of Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) used in Rwanda. Nephrology nursing is a new speciality, and little is known about the nurses’ work performance while caring for patients under going hemodialysis.Objective: To explore factors influencing nurse’s work performance in the care of hemodialysis patients in four nephrology units in Rwanda.Methods: A qualitative descriptive design used a purposive sampling strategy to recruit 12 registered nurses working on the hemodialysis unit. Data were collected through interviews using a semistructured guide. Data analysis used a thematic approach with six phases.Results: Two themes and eight subthemes were revealed. Facilitating factors to increase work performance included the nurses’ education and speciality training, good working environment, good interpersonal relationships among staff, and effective management and leadership. Barriers included, self-perceived knowledge and skills insufficiencies, moral distress, logistical concerns, and poor working conditions.Conclusion: The findings revealed specific facilitating factors and barriers to nurses’ work performance. Nurses at these study sites, in conjunction with faculty in the Master’s Nephrology Track at the University of Rwanda, could become change agents and begin to increase facilitating factors and decrease barriers. Continual improvement in facilitating factors is needed to keep nurses performing well.Keywords: Nephrology, hemodialysis, nurses, work performanc

Synchronization of patient data among health facilities through electronic medical records system: a case study of Kabgayi District Hospital

Background: The use of modern technology in healthcare system aims to increase the reliability, accessibility and productivity of delivered services. In most developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) has been dominated by paper-based system. In Rwanda, EMRs started in 2011 with a baseline of 8% and reached 50% in 2017 within 516 health facilities, but patient data synchronization among health facilities is still a problem. The aim of this research was to identify factors hindering EMRs implementation and propose applied solutions.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design with qualitative and quantitative approach was used. A purposive method to select the research participants among the target population was also used.Results: It was found that, despite the improvement of hospitals’ management and healthcare efficiency via EMRs system, factors affecting synchronization of patients’ data among health facilities still persist. The study also revealed the need for the interoperability in the integration of EMRs system among health facilities.Conclusion: The OpenMRS EMR-based data synchronization can reduce gaps in HIV care. It avoids a duplication of patient identification number (PID) at the same health facility for more than one visit and missing data among health facilities. As part of implementable solutions for effective service delivery, cloud-based server and patient identification were suggested as solutions for much more success in Open MRS EMRs system.Keywords: Electronic Medical Record, Data synchronization, Cloud computing technolog

Occupational health risks associated with medical waste management practices among health professionals working in three district hospitals in Rwanda

Background: Proper healthcare waste management is crucial to minimize the exposure of health professionals, patients, and the public in general, and to reduce the pollution of the environment in particular. In Rwanda, scientific documents on occupational health risks resulting from medical waste management practices among healthcare workers are currently rare.Aim: This study aimed to explore occupational health risks associated with medical waste management practices among health professionals in the Rwandan context.Method: A cross-sectional study design was used. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. The respondents were composed of health professionals (medical doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff) from the district hospital and six key informants. We used questionnaire, interview guide, and observation checklists as research instruments. We performed descriptive statistics to analyze the quantitative data. Also, qualitative data were analyzed using narrative analysis method.Results: The findings revealed that 56.5 % of respondents from Kibagabaga hospital, 26.8% from Masaka and 49.3% from Muhima Hospital reported that they experienced occupational health risks related to inadequate medical waste management at their workplaces, and some of those risks include risk of infection and physical injuries.Conclusion: This study concludes that health professionals working in health facilities in Rwanda are exposed to the risks resulting from poor medical waste management practices. Thus, the study recommends putting more emphasis on raising awareness of staff towards risks resulting from poor medical waste management practices.Keywords: Occupational health risk; Medical waste; Health professionals, Hospital, Healthcare wast