Use of Protective Gear and the Occurrence of Occupational Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever in Health Workers from Watsa Health Zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract Background Our understanding of the different effects of targeted versus nontargeted violence on Ebola virus (EBOV) transmission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is limited. Methods We used time-series data of case counts to compare individuals in Ebola-affected health zones in DRC, April 2018–August 2019. Exposure was number of violent events per health zone, categorized into Ebola-targeted or Ebola-untargeted, and into civilian-induced, (para)military/political, or protests. Outcome was estimated daily reproduction number (Rt) by health zone. We fit linear time-series regression to model the relationship. Results Average Rt was 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.11). A mean of 2.92 violent events resulted in cumulative absolute increase in Rt of 0.10 (95% CI, .05–.15). More violent events increased EBOV transmission (P = .03). Considering violent events in the 95th percentile over a 21-day interval and its relative impact on Rt, Ebola-targeted events corresponded to Rt of 1.52 (95% CI, 1.30–1.74), while civilian-induced events corresponded to Rt of 1.43 (95% CI, 1.21–1.35). Untargeted events corresponded to Rt of 1.18 (95% CI, 1.02–1.35); among these, militia/political or ville morte events increased transmission. Conclusions Ebola-targeted violence, primarily driven by civilian-induced events, had the largest impact on EBOV transmission.

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Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Clinical Observations in 103 Patients

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1086/514308 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 179 (s1) ◽

pp. S1-S7 ◽

Cited By ~ 277

Author(s):

Mpia A. Bwaka ◽

Marie‐José Bonnet ◽

Philippe Calain ◽

Robert Colebunders ◽

Ann De Roo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Clinical Observations ◽

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Republic Of The Congo

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Prevalence ofSchistosoma mansoniInfection in Four Health Areas of Kisantu Health Zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Advances in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/6596095 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R. Khonde Kumbu ◽

K. Mbanzulu Makola ◽

Lu Bin

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Schistosoma Mansoni ◽

Health Problem ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Infection Intensity ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Health Zone

Background. Schistosomiasis is a public health problem in Democratic Republic of the Congo but estimates of its prevalence vary widely. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence ofSchistosoma mansoniinfection and associated risk factors among children in 4 health areas of Kisantu health zone.Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 4 health areas of Kisantu health zone. 388 children randomly selected were screened forS. mansoniusing Kato Katz technique and the sociodemographic data was collected. Data were entered and encoded using software EpiData version 3.1. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 software.Results. The prevalence ofS. mansoniwas 26.5% (103); almost two-thirds (63) (61.2%) had light infection intensity. A significant association was found betweenS. mansoniinfection and age (p=0.005), educational level (p=0.001), and practices of swimming/bathing (p<0.001) and using water from river/lake/stream for domestic use (p<0.001). Kipasa health area had high prevalence of schistosomiasis (64.6%) (64/99; 95% CI 54.4–74.0) compared to other health areas.Conclusion.Schistosoma mansoniinfection still remains a public health problem in these areas. There is a need to promote health education and promote behavioral changes in children towards schistosomiasis.

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Knowledge of Antimalarials and Health Seeking Behaviour of Households in Case of Suspected Malaria in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed6030157 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 157

Author(s):

Nsengi Y. Ntamabyaliro ◽

Christian Burri ◽

Yves N. Lula ◽

Daniel Ishoso ◽

Aline B. Engo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary School ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Health Workers ◽

Health Seeking Behaviour ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Self Medication ◽

Level Of Education ◽

Catholic Religion ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Good Behaviour

(1) Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is heavily affected by malaria despite availability of effective treatments. Ignorance and unrecommended behaviour toward a suspected malaria case in households may contribute to this problem. (2) Method: In communities of one rural and one urban Health Centres in each of the 11 previous provinces of DRC, all households with a case of malaria in the 15 days prior to the survey were selected. The patient or caregiver (responder) were interviewed. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of knowledge of recommended antimalarials and adequate behaviour in case of suspected malaria. (3) Results: 1732 households participated; about 62% (1060/1721) of the responders were informed about antimalarials, 70.1% (742/1059) knew the recommended antimalarials and 58.6% (995/1699) resorted to self-medication. Predictors of knowledge of antimalarials were education to secondary school or university, information from media and smaller households. Predictors of good behaviour were Catholic religion and smaller households. Receiving information from Community Health Workers (CHWs) failed to be determinants of knowledge or adequate behaviour. (4) Conclusion: malaria control in DRC is hampered by ignorance and non-adherence to national recommendations. These aspects are influenced by unsuccessful communication, size of households and level of education.

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Motivating Factors of Community Health Workers in the Kadutu Urban Health Zone in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3514663 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Milabyo Kyamusugulwa

Keyword(s):

Community Health ◽

Community Health Workers ◽

Urban Health ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Health Workers ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Motivating Factors ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Health Zone

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Interventions to Control Virus Transmission during an Outbreak of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: Experience from Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1995

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1086/514320 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 179 (s1) ◽

pp. S263-S267 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Barbara Kerstiëns ◽

Francine Matthys

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Control Virus ◽

Republic Of The Congo

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Ebola between Outbreaks: Intensified Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Surveillance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1981–1985

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1086/514295 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 179 (s1) ◽

pp. S60-S64 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Z. Jezek ◽

M. Y. Szczeniowski ◽

J. J. Muyembe‐Tamfum ◽

J. B. McCormick ◽

D. L. Heymann

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Republic Of The Congo

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Active management of third stage of labour, post–partum haemorrhage and maternal death rate in the Vanga Health Zone, Province of Bandundu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v2i1.76 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jean-Pierre Fina Lubaki ◽

Jean-Robert Musiti Ngolo ◽

Lucie Zikudieka Maniati

Keyword(s):

Maternal Death ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Post Partum ◽

Active Management ◽

Maternal Deaths ◽

Third Stage ◽

Post Test ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Health Zone ◽

Post Partum Haemorrhage

Background: Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) is the single largest cause of maternal death worldwide and a particular burden for developing countries. In Africa, about 33.9 % of maternal deaths are due to PPH. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the prevalence of PPH is unknown. PPH can be prevented with active management of the third stage of labour (AMTSL). Objectives: To describe the practice of AMTSL in Vanga Health Zone and to calculate the incidence of PPH in Vanga Health Zone.Method: An intervention study with post-test-only design was conducted among health maternity wards using a data collection sheet to obtain information. All pregnant women attending Vanga Health maternity wards constituted the study population. Frequencies were determined for variables of interest.Results: From April 2007 to March 2008, 6339 deliveries took place at Vanga Health maternity wards, representing 71% of the institutional delivery rate. The number of deliveries realised with the practice of (AMTSL) were 5562; 366 cases of PPH were reported, making an incidence of 5.77%. Three cases of maternal deaths – two of which were related to PPH – were reported during the study period, which means there was a decline of 70% compared with the previous two years.Conclusion: The prevalence of PPH has been estimated to be 5.77%; PPH represents the cause of 67% of all maternal deaths. The extension of AMTSL practice, combined with the assurance of better supplies of oxytocin to enhance drug management, is strongly advised/suggested. As a number of births still take place outside the health maternity wards, the introduction of oral misoprostol could be considered a part of AMTSL for use by patients being treated by traditional midwives.

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