Prevalence, Predictors, and Moderators of Relapse in Severe Mental Disorders: Evidence from Ndera Neuropsychiatric Teaching Hospital, Rwanda

Nkubili, C., et al. (2025). Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences

• Relapse remains a significant challenge in the management of severe mental disorders, particularly in low-resource settings. This cross-sectional study conducted among outpatients at Ndera Neuropsychiatric Teaching Hospital estimated relapse prevalence and examined associated factors, including medication adherence, self-stigma, psychological well-being, and disorder type.

Clinical study to assess the treatment of Schizophrenia with Paliperidone Palmitate in Healthcare settings

• The ongoing research is being carried out by Dr Rutakayile Bizoza. Sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, the research is being carried out in Ndera Neuropsychiatric Teaching Hospital and other 4 health institutions in Rwanda, with target population of 100.

Very high epilepsy prevalence in rural Southern Rwanda: The underestimated burden of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa

Garrez, I., et al. (2024). Tropical Medicine & International Health

• Epilepsy remains underdiagnosed and underestimated in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated epilepsy prevalence in rural Southern Rwanda, revealing a very high burden and highlighting the need for improved detection, care, and public health interventions.

Association of depression and epilepsy in Rwanda: A prospective longitudinal study

Sebera, F., et al. (2023). Epilepsy & Behavior.

• Depression is the most common psychiatric comorbidity for persons living with epilepsy. In Rwanda, the prevalence of epilepsy and depression are high, with 4,9% and 13.0% respectively. This prospective interventional study aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of depression and the outcome of persons living with epilepsy (PwE) with depression attending the outpatient neurology department of a tertiary center.

Effectiveness of community health workers on identification and mobilization of persons living with epilepsy in rural Rwanda using a validated screening tool

Sebera, F., et al. (2022). Human Resources for Health

• Engagement and training of community health workers (CHWs) have demonstrated their value in different conditions. Despite repeat epilepsy trainings of CHWs in Northern Rwanda, the treatment gap remained high. The study hypothesized that effectiveness of CHWs on mobilization of patients living with epilepsy (PwE) could be improved using a validated tool for epilepsy screening.
   

High prevalence of epilepsy in Northern Rwanda: Exploring gender differences

Dedeken, P., et al. (2021). Brain and Behavior

• Epilepsy remains highly prevalent in Rwanda, with potential variations across gender. This study investigated the prevalence of epilepsy in Northern Rwanda and explored gender differences to better understand disparities in disease burden and inform targeted interventions.

Mortality of all causes and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in a cohort of 235 persons living with epilepsy in Rwanda using WHO Verbal Autopsy Questionnaire

Sebera, F., et al. (2020). Epilepsy & Behavior Reports

• Mortality in persons living with epilepsy (PwE) is 1.6–9.3-fold higher than in the general population. Mortality from definite/probable Sudden Unexpected Death in EPilepsy (SUDEP) is estimated at 1.2 per 1000 person-years. The study reports mortality and SUDEP rate in a cohort of Rwandan PwE.

Validity, Reliability, and Diagnostic Cut-off of the Kinyarwandan Version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in Rwanda

Dedeken, P., et al. (2020). Frontiers in Psychology

• Reliable screening tools are essential for diagnosing depression in clinical settings. This study evaluated the validity, reliability, and diagnostic cut-off of the Kinyarwandan version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale to support accurate mental health assessment in Rwanda.

Validity, reliability and cut-offs of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as a screening tool for depression among patients living with epilepsy in Rwanda

Sebera, F., et al. (2020). PLoS One

• Depression is a common comorbidity among persons living with epilepsy. This study evaluated the validity, reliability, and optimal cut-off scores of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for screening depression in this population in Rwanda.

Addressing the treatment gap and societal impact of epilepsy in Rwanda — Results of a survey conducted in 2005, Sebera et al and subsequent action

Sebera, F., et al. (2015). Epilepsy & Behavior

• This study, supported by the Rwandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, was conducted in 2005 to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and its sociocultural perception in Rwanda, as well as epilepsy-related knowledge and practices of health-care professionals (HCPs).