--- title: "Lived experiences of PASC in Rwanda: qualitative insights to guide care and policy" id: "bmj-open-4-understanding-the-lived-experiences-of-individuals-with-post-acute-sequelae-of" canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/bmj-open-4-understanding-the-lived-experiences-of-individuals-with-post-acute-sequelae-of" content_type: "clinical_feed_article" specialty: "Infectious Disease" source_name: "BMJ Open" source_url: "http://bmjopen.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/16/9/e117002?rss=1" published_at: "2026-09-16T13:30:50.000Z" evidence_level: "Journal Feed" license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use" --- # Lived experiences of PASC in Rwanda: qualitative insights to guide care and policy ## Provenance & Clinical Metadata - **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/bmj-open-4-understanding-the-lived-experiences-of-individuals-with-post-acute-sequelae-of - **Specialty:** [Infectious Disease](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/infectious-disease.md) - **Primary Source:** BMJ Open - **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](http://bmjopen.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/16/9/e117002?rss=1) - **Published At:** 2026-09-16T13:30:50.000Z - **Evidence Rating:** Journal Feed ## Executive GIST (TL;DR) - The study used a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore lived experiences of adults with **post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)** across all provinces of Rwanda, including Kigali. - Thirty adults who tested positive for PASC in a nationwide prevalence study were purposively sampled and interviewed until thematic saturation. - Participants described persistent symptoms after acute COVID-19, including **fatigue**, body weakness, breathlessness and memory loss, but many were uncertain these were related to their prior infection. - Diagnostic uncertainty was compounded when healthcare providers did not ask about prior COVID-19 during consultations, increasing participants' confusion and distress. - Physical limitations prevented many participants from performing manual or farming work, undermining household income and ability to meet basic needs such as food and school fees. - Financial hardship, loss of income and reduced ability to fulfill social roles led to fear, isolation, frustration, sadness and depression among participants. - Social stigma and limited specialist care were reported as part of the broader environment shaping the burden of PASC. - Participants called for increased public awareness, more research into symptoms and treatments for PASC, and routine clinical enquiry about prior COVID-19 infection by healthcare workers. - The authors highlight the need for integrated interventions addressing physical, emotional and socioeconomic impacts, PASC-specific education for providers, public awareness campaigns and psychosocial support embedded within Rwanda’s community health systems. - The study emphasizes urgency for future research to identify feasible, context-appropriate strategies to mitigate PASC burden in low-resource settings; specific intervention models were not reported in the source. ## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points Objectives To qualitatively explore the lived experiences of individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) in Rwanda, with the aim of informing context-appropriate interventions to improve patients' quality of life. Design Qualitative, phenomenological study using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. Setting All provinces of Rwanda, including the City of Kigali. Participants Adults who tested positive for PASC during a nationwide prevalence study were purposively sampled across all study sites. A total of 30 people were interviewed before saturation was reached. Results Participants' lived experiences with PASC were characterised by numerous themes. Despite describing significant life changes since their COVID-19 infection, they remained uncertain about the relationship between their ongoing symptoms and their previous COVID-19 infection. This uncertainty was worsened by healthcare providers who did not ask about COVID-19 history during consultations. Participants also described feelings of frustration and sadness caused by their inability to perform physically demanding jobs such as farming and manual labour, which had previously been their sources of income. Symptoms such as body weakness, persistent fatigue, breathlessness and memory loss contributed to financial hardship and difficulty meeting basic family needs, such as school fees and food, because participants were unable to work. For many participants, this financial pressure translated into constant fear, isolation and depression. Participants called for greater public awareness about PASC, more research into its symptoms and treatment and for healthcare providers to routinely ask patients about their previous COVID-19 infection. The results of this study also highlight the need for comprehensive approaches to address the physical, emotional and socioeconomic burden of PASC in Rwanda. Conclusions Individuals living with PASC in Rwanda face a compounded burden shaped by both the symptoms themselves and a broader environment of diagnostic uncertainty, limited specialist care and social stigma. These findings point to an urgent need for PASC-specific education for healthcare providers, public awareness initiatives and integrated psychosocial support within Rwanda's existing community health infrastructure. 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