scholarly journals A cluster-randomized trial determining the efficacy of caterpillar cereal as a locally available and sustainable complementary food to prevent stunting and anaemia

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 1785-1792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Bauserman ◽  
Adrien Lokangaka ◽  
Justin Gado ◽  
Kelly Close ◽  
Dennis Wallace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
Hb Concentration ◽  
And Control

AbstractObjectiveWe conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a cereal made from caterpillars, a micronutrient-rich, locally available alternative animal-source food, on reducing stunting and anaemia in infants in the Democratic Republic of Congo.DesignSix-month-old infants were cluster randomized to receive either caterpillar cereal daily until 18 months of age or the usual diet. At 18 months of age, anthropometric measurements and biological samples were collected.SettingThe rural Equateur Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.SubjectsOne hundred and seventy-five infants followed from 6 to 18 months of age.ResultsStunting was common at 6 months (35 %) and the prevalence increased until 18 months (69 %). There was no difference in stunting prevalence at 18 months between the intervention and control groups (67 % v. 71 %, P=0·69). Infants in the cereal group had higher Hb concentration than infants in the control group (10·7 v. 10·1 g/dl, P=0·03) and fewer were anaemic (26 v. 50 %, P=0·006), although there was no difference in estimates of body Fe stores (6·7 v. 7·2 mg/kg body weight, P=0·44).ConclusionsSupplementation of complementary foods with caterpillar cereal did not reduce the prevalence of stunting at 18 months of age. However, infants who consumed caterpillar cereal had higher Hb concentration and fewer were anaemic, suggesting that caterpillar cereal might have some beneficial effect. The high prevalence of stunting at 6 months and the lack of response to this micronutrient-rich supplement suggest that factors other than dietary deficiencies also contribute to stunting.

scholarly journals A high prevalence of potential HIV elite controllers identified over 30 years in Democratic Republic of Congo

EBioMedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 103258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Berg ◽  
Ana Olivo ◽  
Barbara J. Harris ◽  
Mary A. Rodgers ◽  
Linda James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Elite Controllers ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
High Prevalence

scholarly journals Operation “Artemis”: The First Autonomous EU-led Operation

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-132
Author(s):  
János Tomolya
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
European Security ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Autonomous Operation ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Operational Constraints ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Eu

In June 2003, the EU launched Operation “Artemis”, its first military mission outside Europe and independent of NATO, to the Democratic Republic of Congo. While it ultimately received an EU badge, its origin, command and control were French. The objective of Operation “Artemis” was to contribute to the stabilisation of the security conditions in Bunia, capital of Ituri, to improve the humanitarian situation, and to ensure the protection of displaced persons in the refugee camps in Bunia. Its mandate was to provide a short-term interim force for three months until the transition to the reinforced United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC – Mission de l’Organisation des Nations Unies en République Démocratique du Congo; English: United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Although the EU can be said to have passed the first “test” of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) mechanisms for the conduct of an autonomous operation, this test was a limited one. Operational constraints were caused by inadequate strategic lift capabilities and the lack of a strategic reserve.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of an Educational Video in Maternity Wards to Prevent Self-Reported Shaking and Smothering during the First Week of Age: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1028-1036
Author(s):  
Takeo Fujiwara ◽  
Aya Isumi ◽  
Makiko Sampei ◽  
Yusuke Miyazaki ◽  
Fujiko Yamada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Educational Video ◽  
Health Checkup ◽  
Infant Crying ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
And Control

Abstract This study aimed to investigate whether watching an educational video on infant crying and the dangers of shaking and smothering within 1 week after delivery at maternity wards reduces self-reported shaking and smothering, at a 1-month health checkup. A cluster randomized controlled trial, stratified by area and hospital function, was employed in 45 obstetrics hospitals/clinics in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. In the intervention group, mothers watched an educational video on infant crying and the dangers of shaking and smothering an infant, within 1 week of age, during hospitalization at maternity wards, without blinding on group allocation. Control group received usual care. A total of 4722 (N = 2350 and 2372 for intervention and control group, respectively) mothers who delivered their babies (still birth and gestational age < 22 weeks were excluded) between October 1, 2014, and January 31 were recruited. Outcomes were self-reported shaking and smothering behaviors, knowledge on infant crying and shaking, and behaviors to cope with infant crying, assessed via a questionnaire at a 1-month health checkup. In all, 2718 (N = 1078 and 1640) responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 58.3%), and analytic sample size was 2655 (N = 1058 and 1597 for intervention and control group, respectively). Multilevel analysis was used to adjust for correlation within the cluster. Prevalence of shaking was significantly lower in the intervention group (0.19%) than in the control group (1.69%). Intention-to-treat analysis showed an 89% reduction in the reported prevalence of self-reported shaking (OR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02–0.53) due to watching the educational video. However, self-reported smothering behavior showed no significant reduction (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.27–1.60). No side effects were reported. Watching an educational video on infant crying and the dangers of shaking and smothering within 1 week after delivery at maternity wards reduced self-reported shaking at 1 month of age. UMIN Clinical Trial Registry UMIN000015558.

scholarly journals Impact of group-based dietary education on the dietary habits of female adolescents: a cluster randomized trial

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 702-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazue Yamaoka ◽  
Mariko Watanabe ◽  
Eisuke Hida ◽  
Toshiro Tango
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dietary Education ◽  
Cluster Randomized

AbstractObjectiveThe number of extremely thin young women has increased and education at school on maintaining an optimal weight has become important. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of a group-based home-collaborative dietary education (HCDE) programme to maintain appropriate dietary intake compared to conventional school classroom education.DesignTwo-arm cluster randomized controlled trial. Twelve classes were randomly assigned as clusters to either the HCDE group or the control group. Each participant in the HCDE group received twelve sessions of group counselling aimed at increasing energy intake at breakfast by modifying dietary intake and adopting appropriate habits. The hypothesis underlying the study was that after 6 months of HCDE the total energy intake would be increased by 627 kJ from baseline (primary endpoint). Secondary outcomes were differences in intake of various nutrients from baseline. Outcome measures after log transformation were examined by t tests and linear mixed models (crude and baseline-adjusted).SettingYoung women among Japanese female adolescents in Tokyo.SubjectsFour hundred and seventy-four participants aged 13–15 years.ResultsStudents in twelve classes were used for analysis (n 459). Energy intake was decreased in many of the classes during the 6-month period, especially for those in the control group. After adjustment for the baseline value, significant increases in energy intake and protein, calcium, magnesium and iron intakes at breakfast were observed (P < 0·05)ConclusionsAlthough energy intake was increased in the HCDE group compared to the control group, further study of the HCDE is warranted.

scholarly journals Field Assessment of a Novel Household-Based Water Filtration Device: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo

PLoS ONE ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. e12613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Boisson ◽  
Mbela Kiyombo ◽  
Larry Sthreshley ◽  
Saturnin Tumba ◽  
Jacques Makambo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Water Filtration ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Filtration Device

scholarly journals High Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction Among Pregnant Women in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Thyroid ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 568-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Habimana ◽  
Kabange E. Twite ◽  
Chantal Daumerie ◽  
Pierre Wallemacq ◽  
Philippe Donnen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Thyroid Dysfunction ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
High Prevalence

scholarly journals The effectiveness of an interactive organ donation education intervention for Dutch lower-educated students: a cluster randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Steenaart ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Math JJM Candel ◽  
Nanne K de Vries
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Organ Donation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Organ donation registration rates remain low, especially among people with lower educational levels. An interactive educational intervention was developed to prepare lower-educated students in the Netherlands for making a well-informed decision about organ donation. This article reports on the effects of this intervention on the intention to register (i.e. the primary outcome in the study at hand) and beliefs regarding organ donation. Methods: The effectiveness was investigated in a post-test only cluster randomized controlled trial, in which the intervention was offered to the experimental group and after measurement also to the control group. Randomization to the experimental and control groups took place at a class level. Teachers of schools for intermediate vocational education who taught a course on Citizenship delivered three intervention elements (i.e. video fragments and discussion, quizzes with tailored feedback and exercise filling out a registration form) to their students during two 50-minute lessons. Results: A total of 1170 students participated in the trial and filled out a questionnaire (45 experimental and 43 control classes). Compared to the control group, students in the experimental group had higher odds of having positive registration intentions (OR=1.81; 95%CI [1.10-2.96]), their perceived knowledge was higher (B=.62; 95%CI [.23-1.01]) and they had higher intentions to talk to family members (B=.68; 95%CI [.28-1.08]) and friends (B=.36; 95%CI [.07-.66]) about organ donation. There were no effects on the choice students intended to register (OR=1.08; 95%CI [.67-1.73]). Conclusions: Providing education in a classroom setting is an effective tool in increasing registration intentions. Despite uncertainties about the effects on actual registration behavior, a larger scale dissemination of this intervention is recommended. Providing clear information and opening the discussion about organ donation is an important and promising first step towards higher registration rates. Trial registration: The Dutch Trial Register, NTR6771. Registered on 24 October 2017. https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6557

scholarly journals High prevalence and diversity of hepatitis virus in symptomatic patients in Democratic Republic of Congo

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Sheila Makiala Mandanda ◽  
Frédéric Le Gal ◽  
Nadine Ngwaka ◽  
Berthold Bivigou Mboumba ◽  
Steve Ahuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
High Prevalence
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