University students' contribution to advancing malaria eradication efforts in Rwanda.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Tropical Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Malaria remains a critical global health threat, disproportionately affecting children under five in the WHO Africa region.
• Rwanda faces significant malaria burden, particularly in rural communities, necessitating focused intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and highlight the contributions of university students in advancing malaria eradication efforts within Rwanda.
• To assess the impact of student-led initiatives on malaria prevention and control.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review synthesizing secondary data from peer-reviewed journals, Google Scholar, and WHO databases.
• Analysis of existing literature to identify and evaluate student involvement in malaria control.

Main Results:

• University students effectively advance malaria prevention through education, outreach, and community training, leading to improved public understanding and adoption of preventive practices.
• Student initiatives, coupled with improved health facilities and the national Malaria Strategic Plan (2013-2020), contributed to a 75% reduction in malaria cases and a 50% decrease in deaths.
• Student-developed technologies, such as a real-time malaria surveillance mobile application, demonstrate innovative contributions, though challenges like limited resources and funding hinder full potential.

Conclusions:

• University students are vital contributors to malaria control in Rwanda, fostering behavioral changes and collaborating with healthcare workers.
• Despite existing barriers, student engagement yields sustainable outcomes and supports Rwanda's 2030 malaria eradication strategic plan.