The burden and care of orofacial cleft in Rwanda: a scoping review

Abstract Background Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are among the most common congenital anomalies accounting for over 4.6 million cases globally. In many developing nations, OFCs are associated with significant morbidity and a heightened risk of infant mortality due to barriers to accessing multidisciplina...

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Main Authors: Jimoh Amzat, Julienne Murererehe, Peace Uwambaye, Lauriyah Yusuf, Olusegun Olaopa, Afeez Salami, Ingabire Eliane Harerimana, Marie Claire Ineza, Eustache Ntigura, Jenipher Ober-Oluoch, Marie Aimee Dusenge, Dorcas Doree Nishimwe, Vestine Abimana, Gabriel Tuyishime, Danilo Zambrano Milanes, Akinyele Adisa, Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe, Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05900-y
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author Jimoh Amzat
Julienne Murererehe
Peace Uwambaye
Lauriyah Yusuf
Olusegun Olaopa
Afeez Salami
Ingabire Eliane Harerimana
Marie Claire Ineza
Eustache Ntigura
Jenipher Ober-Oluoch
Marie Aimee Dusenge
Dorcas Doree Nishimwe
Vestine Abimana
Gabriel Tuyishime
Danilo Zambrano Milanes
Akinyele Adisa
Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe
Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi
author_facet Jimoh Amzat
Julienne Murererehe
Peace Uwambaye
Lauriyah Yusuf
Olusegun Olaopa
Afeez Salami
Ingabire Eliane Harerimana
Marie Claire Ineza
Eustache Ntigura
Jenipher Ober-Oluoch
Marie Aimee Dusenge
Dorcas Doree Nishimwe
Vestine Abimana
Gabriel Tuyishime
Danilo Zambrano Milanes
Akinyele Adisa
Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe
Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi
author_sort Jimoh Amzat
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are among the most common congenital anomalies accounting for over 4.6 million cases globally. In many developing nations, OFCs are associated with significant morbidity and a heightened risk of infant mortality due to barriers to accessing multidisciplinary care. This scoping review aims to identify knowledge gaps, establish research agendas, and inform decision-making for policy redirection in Rwanda regarding OFCs. Methods The design and reportage of this scoping review were based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Following the search of eleven electronic databases, all retrieved articles were imported into the Rayyan web application where deduplication of literature was done. One hundred and fourteen articles were obtained from the literature search. After screening and deduplication, six articles were included in the scoping review for data charting, collation, and summarization. Results Rwanda faces a substantial burden of OFCs, with prevalence rates ranging from 12.1 to 34.2% across its provinces. The scarcity of specialists who treat OFCs highlights a significant disparity in healthcare access. The prevalence of OFCs varies among demographics and age groups, with a higher incidence in males compared to females. This review also addresses the clinical management of OFCs in Rwanda, highlighting a low retention rate among patients receiving care. Conclusion This review highlights the need for targeted interventions in OFC care in Rwanda, including the early detection of associated anomalies, enhanced prenatal management, and improved access to specialized treatment facilities, particularly for patients with concomitant malformations. Policymakers and stakeholders must implement strategies to increase the number of specialists supporting individuals with OFCs and ensure high retention rates in OFC care. Further, OFC-related studies with representative sample sizes and advanced research designs are required to address the information gap and better inform Rwandan health policy.
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spelling doaj-art-47ef37700ae84c95b1b5aad8b2d5073e2025-08-20T02:27:06ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-04-0125111010.1186/s12903-025-05900-yThe burden and care of orofacial cleft in Rwanda: a scoping reviewJimoh Amzat0Julienne Murererehe1Peace Uwambaye2Lauriyah Yusuf3Olusegun Olaopa4Afeez Salami5Ingabire Eliane Harerimana6Marie Claire Ineza7Eustache Ntigura8Jenipher Ober-Oluoch9Marie Aimee Dusenge10Dorcas Doree Nishimwe11Vestine Abimana12Gabriel Tuyishime13Danilo Zambrano Milanes14Akinyele Adisa15Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe16Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi17Department of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo UniversityDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo UniversityRutgers School of Dental Medicine, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyFaculty of Dentistry, University of PuthisastraDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, University of RwandaDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaDepartment of Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, University of RwandaDepartment of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, University of IbadanFaculty of Dentistry, University of PuthisastraDepartment of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of RwandaAbstract Background Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are among the most common congenital anomalies accounting for over 4.6 million cases globally. In many developing nations, OFCs are associated with significant morbidity and a heightened risk of infant mortality due to barriers to accessing multidisciplinary care. This scoping review aims to identify knowledge gaps, establish research agendas, and inform decision-making for policy redirection in Rwanda regarding OFCs. Methods The design and reportage of this scoping review were based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Following the search of eleven electronic databases, all retrieved articles were imported into the Rayyan web application where deduplication of literature was done. One hundred and fourteen articles were obtained from the literature search. After screening and deduplication, six articles were included in the scoping review for data charting, collation, and summarization. Results Rwanda faces a substantial burden of OFCs, with prevalence rates ranging from 12.1 to 34.2% across its provinces. The scarcity of specialists who treat OFCs highlights a significant disparity in healthcare access. The prevalence of OFCs varies among demographics and age groups, with a higher incidence in males compared to females. This review also addresses the clinical management of OFCs in Rwanda, highlighting a low retention rate among patients receiving care. Conclusion This review highlights the need for targeted interventions in OFC care in Rwanda, including the early detection of associated anomalies, enhanced prenatal management, and improved access to specialized treatment facilities, particularly for patients with concomitant malformations. Policymakers and stakeholders must implement strategies to increase the number of specialists supporting individuals with OFCs and ensure high retention rates in OFC care. Further, OFC-related studies with representative sample sizes and advanced research designs are required to address the information gap and better inform Rwandan health policy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05900-yOrofacial cleftRwandaScoping reviewPublic health
spellingShingle Jimoh Amzat
Julienne Murererehe
Peace Uwambaye
Lauriyah Yusuf
Olusegun Olaopa
Afeez Salami
Ingabire Eliane Harerimana
Marie Claire Ineza
Eustache Ntigura
Jenipher Ober-Oluoch
Marie Aimee Dusenge
Dorcas Doree Nishimwe
Vestine Abimana
Gabriel Tuyishime
Danilo Zambrano Milanes
Akinyele Adisa
Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe
Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi
The burden and care of orofacial cleft in Rwanda: a scoping review
BMC Oral Health
Orofacial cleft
Rwanda
Scoping review
Public health
title The burden and care of orofacial cleft in Rwanda: a scoping review
title_full The burden and care of orofacial cleft in Rwanda: a scoping review
title_fullStr The burden and care of orofacial cleft in Rwanda: a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed The burden and care of orofacial cleft in Rwanda: a scoping review
title_short The burden and care of orofacial cleft in Rwanda: a scoping review
title_sort burden and care of orofacial cleft in rwanda a scoping review
topic Orofacial cleft
Rwanda
Scoping review
Public health
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05900-y
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