: BACKGROUND: Emphasizing the critical role of standardized codes in modern healthcare systems, particularly Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, which facilitate efficient communication, accurate billing, and comprehensive patient record management, is of paramount. Despite their benefits, a significant concern regarding patient privacy amidst the detailed documentation enabled by CPT coding. As healthcare providers adopt these standards, they must navigate complex regulatory landscapes like HIPAA to ensure patient confidentiality. However, gaps remain in fully implementing privacy guidelines associated with CPT codes, especially in settings like Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital and Legacy Clinics, where this study aims to evaluate and improve the practical application of CPT standards to protect patient privacy effectively. AIM: The main objective of this study was to examine a level to which Current procedural terminology standards codes utilized as it can protect privacy and confidentiality. METHOD: Descriptive research design that employed quantitative approaches was used. The research focused on assessing the implementation of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) standards across two healthcare settings: Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital and Legacy Clinics. Purposive sampling was employed to select these study sites based on their accreditation and quality service standards relevant to privacy measures and information management. The study population consisted of 177 participants, including medical doctors, insurance partners, Teller staff, and IT officers, selected through stratified and proportionate sampling methods. These methods were chosen to collect quantitative data on the practicality and efficiency of CPT standards in daily healthcare operations. Data management and analysis were conducted using Microsoft Excel for organizing questionnaire responses and STATA software for descriptive analysis. Findings: The findings reveal that the adoption of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes in healthcare facilities is generally low, with Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH) showing no usage and Legacy Clinics having a higher adoption rate of 22.22%. Despite the overall familiarity with CPT, 94.59% of respondents reported non-usage, indicating substantial barriers such as lack of awareness, inadequate training, and systemic challenges. The occupational analysis shows that doctors, who form the largest group, express the highest dissatisfaction rates regarding CPT processes, although the chi-square test reveals no significant relationship between occupation and CPT usage. This suggests that CPT adoption is influenced more by facility- specific issues than by professional roles. Logistic regression analysis highlights that knowledge about CPT negatively impacts its usage, suggesting that awareness alone is not enough to increase adoption. This may be due to insufficient support or practical training. The study suggests that increasing awareness, improving training, and overcoming institutional barriers will be key to enhancing CPT adoption. Conclusion: CPT adoption remains low across surveyed healthcare facilities, with substantial barriers hindering its implementation, particularly at RMH. Occupational roles do not significantly influence usage, but systemic challenges and inadequate training are key obstacles. To promote CPT integration, healthcare institutions need targeted interventions, improved awareness, and comprehensive training programs to ensure successful adoption.

This study assessed the risks of cardiovascular diseases among HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) in southern Rwanda. A cross-sectional design was employed from January to February 2021. A sample of 199 participants was systematically selected, including HIV-positive patients on ART and a control group. Blood samples were analyzed for lipid profiles using standard spectrophotometric procedures. The study adhered to strict ethical considerations, including informed consent and participant confidentiality. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, with a p-value of ≤0.05 considered statistically significant. Results indicated demographic disparities, with 66% female participants and 72% on first-line ART. Triglyceride levels showed 42% within normal ranges, 26% borderline high, and 32% hypertriglyceridemia. For high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), 61.3% were normal, 19.3% classified as low-risk, and 19.3% had hypercholesterolemia. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) results revealed 87.6% within normal ranges, 7.3% borderline high, and 8% with hypercholesterolemia. Total cholesterol analysis is ongoing. Ethical approval was obtained, though the study faced challenges such as a limited sample size and movement restrictions due to COVID-19. Despite limitations, the findings highlight the importance of monitoring lipid profiles in HIV/AIDS patients on ART to reduce cardiovascular risks and inform clinical interventions.

Globally, hepatitis C is included in the public health concern. More than 1.4 million deaths are reported. In 170 million who are infected with HCV worldwide,71 million have serious complications. There is a close relationship between hepatitis C infections among family members with one case. Family member’s behaviors and exposure to positive family members without precautions are among the risk factor of getting hepatitis C infection. In Rwanda, the burden of Hepatitis C infections reaches to 4% of infected people. High prevalence of hepatitis C infection can be associated with horizontal transmission among household of positive patients for HCV. In Rwanda no data showing the contribution of horizontal transmission of HCV among household members as one of the risk factors to increase the prevalence of HCV. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV among the household members living with HCV positive individual, specifically attending centre universitaire de santé public of BUTARE. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design to assess the prevalence among 30 families having had positive cases for HCV with 180 sample size. With use of questionnires, HCV risk factors were assessed from our participants and from their responses. Purposive sampling was done for HCV rapid test and positive cases sample were confirmed at university teaching hospital of BUTARE with Elisa. From participants tested, 10.8% were tested positive for HCV counting for the prevalence of our study. Our findings are in line with other same studies conducted in Egypt and Iran revealed that there was 14.1%, which is a bit closer to our finding. we have found that unprotected sex with parnters and marital status between infected cases has a big influence to the high prevelence. Based on the findings from our study, 10.8% of our participants tested positive for HCV due to limited education, awareness, and exposure to contributing risk factors about HCV transmission.