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Dr. Aimable Nkurunziza

Photo of Aimable Nkunrunziza
Assistant Professor / Faculty of Education and Professional Studies - School of Nursing
Position
Full-time Faculty
Extension
4258
Website
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About
Dr. Aimable Nkurunziza is a distinguished registered nurse and educator with over 13 years of experience in nursing and midwifery education. Beginning his teaching career at the University of Rwanda in 2011, Dr. Nkurunziza has been instrumental in shaping the future of nursing and midwifery through various leadership and educational roles.

At the former Byumba School of Nursing and Midwifery (merged with other public institutions to form the University of Rwanda), Dr. Nkurunziza has served in numerous capacities including Clinical Coordinator and Vice-Principal in charge of Academic and Research. His leadership extended to managing the pediatric track in the University of Rwanda-master's program, where he was pivotal in teaching and curriculum development.

Dr. Nkurunziza has demonstrated significant expertise in project management. He co-led a major project under the funding of the Center of International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM), focusing on integrating family planning and comprehensive abortion care into nursing and midwifery curricula.

Dr. Nkurunziza has been the recipient of several prestigious awards throughout his academic career. In 2024, he received the Best Dissertation Award at Western University, supported by the Louise Rickwood PhD Scholarship in Nursing. During 2021-2022, he was awarded the Berman Family Graduate Award in Health Equity and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), and 2021 the Irene E. Nordwich Foundation award.
Education
Post-doctoral Fellowship, University of Toronto, 2023-2024
PhD Nursing, Western University, 2023
MPH (International Health), Mount Kenya University, 2022
MSc Nursing (Pediatric), University of Rwanda, 2017
BSc Nursing, Kigali Health Institute, 2010
Research

Current Interests:

Dr. Aimable Nkurunziza's research focuses on improving health outcomes for mothers, children, and adolescents, particularly in low-resource settings. He is dedicated to addressing health disparities and promoting equity by developing effective interventions and analyzing social determinants of health. He also studies barriers to healthcare access and utilization, especially among marginalized groups, and evaluates the impact of health system reforms on patient outcomes. His work includes investigating health challenges faced by immigrants and creating culturally sensitive health interventions. Additionally, he aims to align nursing curricula with current trends and needs by incorporating innovative teaching methods and ensuring responsiveness to emerging health challenges.

 

Current and Future Research

  1. Uwimana U., Nsekambabaye J.P, Van Endert N., Co-PI, Bagweneza V., Muraraneza C., Kayiranga D., Nkurunziza A. (Co-I), ..., Mukamana D. (2023-2027) United for Health Rwanda: Development of a preceptorship model in nursing and midwifery in Rwanda. VLIR-UOS, RW2022TEA524B14. Amount: 280,000 Euros
  2. Nkurunziza A. (PI), Mukeshimana M., Endale ..., Habtu M. (2022-2024). Nurses and Midwives Faculty Perceived Ability and willingness to teach Family Planning and Comprehensive Abortion Care in Rwanda. The Center for International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM). Amount 5,000 USD
  3. Nsaba U. Y.D (PI), Nkurunziza A. (Co-PI), Prof. Mukamana D., Mukeshimana M., ..., Kaberuka, G., & Nganabashaka J.P. Exploring the need for translating the trauma-informed abortion care in nursing and midwifery curriculum and practice: A multicenter study. (2022-2024). CIRHT-UM. Amount: 5,000 USD.
  4. Twagirayezu I., Rugema J., Bagweneza V., Nikuze B., Nyirazigama A., Nkurunziza A (Co-I). Exploring challenges of adolescent mothers in Gatsibo District Rwanda. (2022-2024). CIRHT-UM. Amount: 5,000 USD  
  5. Ndayisenga, J.P., Oudshoorn, A., Nkurunziza, A. (Co-PI), Tengera, O., Hitayezu J.B., Bagirisano, J., Ayinkamiye, J. D . The Lived Experiences of Young Women who have had an Unsafe Abortion in Rural Rwanda: A Descriptive Phenomenology. (2022-2024). CIRHT-UM. Amount: 5,000 USD.
  6. Bagirisano, J.,  Nkurunziza, A. (Co-PI),  Ishimwe B. L, …, Mukankusi J., Nkurayija M. (2022-2024). The effect of audio-recorded program on the knowledge and practices towards menstrual hygiene among visually impaired adolescent girls in Rwanda. CIRHT-UM. Amount:  5,000 USD.
  7. Mukeshimana M., ..., Nkurunziza A. (Co-I), Niragire F., Irakoze M., Tamrat E., Adejumo O. (2022-2024). Adolescents Reproductive Health Accessibility and Utilization Project in Rwanda (ARHAUP-Rwanda) for illiterate adolescents. CIRHT-UM. Amount 5,000 USD.
  8. Kanakuze A.C, Basonga E., Ntirushwa D., Katende G., Bagirisano J., Hitayezu J.B.H., Nsaba Uwera Y.D., Nkurunziza A., ..., Sayinzoga F. (2022-2024). Practices and perceptions of comprehensive abortion care among healthcare providers in Rwanda. CIRHT-UM. Amount: 5,000 USD.
  9. Ndayisenga J.B, Babenko-Mould Y…, & Nkurunziza A. (Co-I). (2020-2021). Research Project on Blended Teaching and Learning in Nursing and Midwifery Education in Rwanda. has been funded by the The United Nations Population Fund, formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). Amount: 6,123,50 USD
  10. Nkurunziza A. (PI), Dewaele S., Van Endert N., & Goele Jans. (2019-2020 Extended to 2021 due to COVID-1). Breaking barriers in the prevention of adolescent pregnancies for in-school students in Kirehe district: development of a peer education program on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). The Africa 1 Selection Commission of VLIR-UOS. Amount: 62,067 Euro.
Publications

Selected publications:

  1. Nkurunziza A., Mukeshimana M., Endale T., Habtu M., …, & Uwimana J.D (2024).  Perceived self-efficacy to teach comprehensive abortion care among nursing and midwifery faculty in Higher Learning Institutions in Rwanda: A mixed method study. PLoS One 19(3). https://doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300542
  2. Tengera O., Meharry P., Nkurunziza A., …, Nyirazinyoye L. (2024). Exploring Perceptions about Enablers of Women’s Attendance and Adherence to the Recommended Antenatal Care Visits in Rwanda: A Qualitative Study. Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 7(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/rjmhs.v7i1.8
  3. Yamuragiye A., Nkurunziza A., Uhawenimana T., & Manirafasha J.P (2024). Strategies to sustain interprofessional collaboration: Perspectives of healthcare professionals working in Emergency Obstetric and neonatal care in Rwanda. Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
  4. Nkurunziza A., Mukeshimana M., Endale T., Habtu M., … & Uwimana J.D. (2023). Perceived self-efficacy and willingness to teach family planning among nursing and midwifery faculty in higher learning institutions in Rwanda. BMC Medical Education, 23, (984), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04941-7
  5. Nkurunziza, A., Moreland, P., Rosa, W.E., … , & Mukeshimana, M. (2023). Enhancing the education of pediatric nurses: A positive step towards achieving sustainable development goals. Nursing Open, 00, 1-7.  https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1816
  6. Umwangange M.L., Chironda G., Nkurunziza A., Samuel Cumber S., Mukeshimana M. (2023). Assessment of knowledge and attitude towards malaria transmission and prevention among school children in Rwanda.   International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 19, 100624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2023.100624
  7. Aimable Nkurunziza, Van Endert N., …, Katende G. (2023). Lessons learned from a Sexual and Reproductive Health Peer Education Program to Prevent Adolescent Pregnancies in High Schools in Rwanda. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 27, (4), 16-23. DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i4.2
  8. Nkurunziza, A., Endert, N. Van, .... & Jans, G. (2020). Breaking barriers in the prevention of adolescent pregnancies for in-school children in Kirehe district ( Rwanda ): a mixed-method study for the development of a peer education program on sexual and reproductive health. BMC Reproductive Health, 17(137), 1–
  9. Mukakarangwa, M. C., Chironda, G., Nkurunziza, A., Ngendahayo, F., & Bhengu, B. (2020). Motivators and Barriers of adherence to hemodialysis among patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in Rwanda: A qualitative study. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 100221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2020.100221
  10. Benemariya, E., Chironda, G., Nkurunziza, A., Katende, G., Sego, R. and Mukeshimana, M. (2018) ‘Perceived factors for delayed consultation of cervical cancer among women at a selected hospital in Rwanda: An Exploratory qualitative study’, International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences. Elsevier Ltd. doi: 1016/j.ijans.2018.10.006.