Pfhrp2 -deleted Plasmodium falciparum parasites in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A national cross-sectional survey

Background. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance helps pregnant women to benefit from preventive and curative services.Methods. Determinants for ANC attendance were identified through a cross-sectional survey in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sociocultural bottlenecks were assessed via focus groups discussion of married men and women.Results. In this survey, 28 of the 500 interviewed pregnant women (5.6%) did not attend ANC services and 82.4% booked over the first trimester. The first visit is positively influenced by the reproductive age (OR: 0.52, 95% CI(0.28–0.95),p<0.04), the educational level (OR: 0.41,95% CI(0.17–0.97),p<0.04), the nearby health center (OR: 0.43, 95% CI(0.2–0.92),p<0.03), and the presence of a male partner (OR: 10.48, 95% CI(2.1–52.23),p<0.001). The barriers to early booking were (i) the cost of service; (ii) the appearance or individual income; (iii) the geographical inaccessibility or distance to health facilities; (iv) social and religious prohibitions; (v) the stigmatization from other women when conceiving in the late ages or young or while still lactating (parity); (vi) the time for waiting for services.Conclusion. The early ANC attendance is delayed among poor women with little education and living alone.

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Acceptability of HIV self-testing in African students: a cross-sectional survey in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Pan African Medical Journal ◽

10.11604/pamj.2019.33.83.18586 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Serge Tonen-Wolyec ◽

Francois-Xavier Mbopi-Kéou ◽

Salomon Batina-Agasa ◽

Ginette Claude Mireille Kalla ◽

Michel Noubom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

African Students ◽

Self Testing

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Household prevalence of P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. ovale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2013-2014

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1772 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Cedar L Mitchell ◽

Hillary M Topazian ◽

Nicholas F Brazeau ◽

Molly Deutsch-Feldman ◽

Jeremie Muwonga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Molecular Study ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Republic Of The Congo

Abstract In a cross-sectional molecular study in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 78% of households had at least one member infected with Plasmodium falciparum, vivax, and/or ovale spp. 47% of children and 33% of adults tested positive for at least one species. Risk factors varied by species and age group.

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Prevalence and associated factors of partially/non-immunization of under-five in Goma city, Democratic Republic of Congo: a community-based cross-sectional survey

Pan African Medical Journal ◽

10.11604/pamj.2015.20.38.4483 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andr� Mwanishayi Kabudi ◽

Prosper Mukobelwa ◽

Junior Mulaja Kazadi ◽

Inis Jane Bardella

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Under Five

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COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9020153 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 153 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

John D. Ditekemena ◽

Dalau M. Nkamba ◽

Armand Mutwadi ◽

Hypolite M. Mavoko ◽

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Secondary School Education ◽

Community Transmission ◽

High Income Category

We investigated the level of willingness for COVID-19 vaccination in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Data were collected between 24 August 2020 and 8 September 2020 through an online survey. A total of 4131 responses were included; mean age of respondents was 35 years (standard deviation: 11.5); 68.4% were females; 71% had elementary or secondary school education. One fourth (24.1%) were convinced that COVID-19 did not exist. Overall, 2310 (55.9%) indicated they were willing to be vaccinated. In a multivariable regression model, belonging to the middle and high-income category (OR = 1.85, CI: 1.46–2.35 and OR = 2.91, CI: 2.15–3.93, respectively), being tested for COVID-19 (OR = 4.71, CI: 3.62–6.12; p < 0.001), COVID-19 community vaccine acceptance (OR = 14.45, CI: 2.91–71.65; p = 0.001) and acknowledging the existence of COVID-19 (OR = 6.04, CI: 4.42–8.23; p < 0.001) were associated with an increased willingness to be vaccinated. Being a healthcare worker was associated with a decreased willingness for vaccination (OR = 0.46, CI: 0.36–0.58; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the current willingness for COVID-19 vaccination among citizens of the DRC is too low to dramatically decrease community transmission. Of great concern is the low intention of immunization among healthcare workers. A large sensitization campaign will be needed to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

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Factors that influence contraceptive use amongst women in Vanga health district, Democratic Republic of Congo

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v6i1.599 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Kangale Izale ◽

Indiran Govender ◽

Jean-Pierre L. Fina ◽

John Tumbo

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Contraceptive Use ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Oral Contraceptive Pills ◽

Contraceptive Usage

Background: Contraception is often necessary in order to plan for children and without it there is a risk of unplanned pregnancies. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, this often results in abortions by untrained persons with resultant morbidity and mortality. Aim: To investigate the factors that influence contraceptive use amongst women of childbearing age in the Vanga health zone. Methods: Cross-sectional survey using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Of the 384 women recruited, a majority (46.1%) were in the 31–40 year age group;52% had reached primary school and 88% did not have formal employment. One hundredand forty of the participants reported current use of contraception, with 60% of them using modern methods of contraception; 36.1% of them had begun using contraception before the age of 20; and the most common methods were oral contraceptive pills and injection, each accounting for 22.9%. There was variation in the duration of contraceptive use and the main reason for using contraception was to space children. Of the participants, 20.7% had been using contraception for more than two years. Seventy-seven (31.5%) of the women reported they did not use contraception because of a fear of side effects. Forty-four (18%) reported that they are unable to afford contraception, 38 (15.6%) had husbands who disapproved of contraceptive usage, 26 (10.6%) had a fear of infertility, 18 (7.4%) practised a religion that did not allow them to use contraception and 12 of the women (4.9%) did not use contraception because it was unavailable to them. Conclusion: Barriers to contraception in our study were fears of side effects and infertility, cost, male partner’s objection, unavailability of contraception and religious beliefs.

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Breast self examination by female students of the universite officielle de ruwenzori, butembo city, democratic republic of Congo

Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatal Care ◽

10.15406/jpnc.2020.10.00415 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 71-77

Author(s):

Kambale Mastaki J ◽

Kalondero J ◽

Munzombo T ◽

Mutume Kabila T ◽

Ngwala Ngwala B

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Female Students ◽

Basic Knowledge ◽

Breast Cancers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Breast Self Examination ◽

Self Examination

ntroduction Breast self-examination is one of the most effective measures strongly recommended for the prevention of breast cancers by means of early detection. Material and method An institution and self-administered questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted among female students of the Université Officielle de Ruwenzori (UOR), Butembo city, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the academic period 2018 to 2019. Results 215 female students out of 358 were included (response rate: 60.00%). Age mean and median were 22.74 years (95%CI: 22.25-23.24) and 22.00 years respectively. Most of them belonged to Nande/Yira tribe (81.55%; 95%CI: 75.61%-86.31%), the Faculty of Medicine (56.34%; 95%CI: 49.55%-62.90%) and catholic religion (53.49%; 95%CI: 46.75%-60.11%). The absolute majority of them had a basic knowledge about breast self-examination (BSE) (79.44%; 95%CI: 73.45%-84.37%) while only a slight majority has performed BSE at least once (55.71%; 95%CI: 48.88%-62.34%). Only the course of study (Medicine), residence (Butembo city), having basic knowledge about breast cancers and BSE impacted significantly on practice of BSE (Pearson chi2 p-values of 0.028, 0.037, 0.003 and 0.000 respectively). Finally, logistic regressions showed that only basic knowledge about BSE was associated with its practice. The relationship was strong (OR: 6.641; 95%CI: 2.823-15.620). Conclusion The large majority of UOR’s female students have basic knowledge about breast cancers and BSE. However, this fact is not automatically translated in a good appropriate health behavior meaning BSE. More effective sensitization has to be done in order to fix this health problem.

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Minimum acceptable diet among children aged 6–23 months in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: a community-based cross-sectional study

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-021-02713-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Richard Mbusa Kambale ◽

Gaylord Amani Ngaboyeka ◽

Joe Bwija Kasengi ◽

Sarah Niyitegeka ◽

Boss Rutakaza Cinkenye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Wide Range ◽

South Kivu

Abstract Background Suboptimal child nutrition remains the main factor underlying child undernutrition in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of minimum acceptable diet and associated factors among children aged 6–23 months old. Methods Community-based cross-sectional study including 742 mothers with children aged 6–23 months old was conducted in 2 Health Zones of South Kivu, Eastern DRC. WHO indicators of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) regarding complementary feeding practices were used. Logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the association between sociodemographic indicators and adequate minimum acceptable diet for both univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Overall, 33% of infants had minimum acceptable diet. After controlling for a wide range of covariates, residence urban area (AOR 2.39; 95% CI 1.43, 3.85), attendance postnatal care (AOR 1.68; 95% CI 1.12, 2.97), education status of mother (AOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.20, 2.77) and household socioeconomic status (AOR 1.72; 95% CI 1.14, 2.59) were factors positively associated with minimum acceptable diet. Conclusion Actions targeting these factors are expected to improve infant feeding practices in South Kivu.

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Symptoms of acute transfusion reactions at a general referral hospital in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045081 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e045081

Author(s):

Patou Masika Musumari ◽

Samclide Mutindu Mbikayi ◽

Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai ◽

Teeranee Techasrivichien ◽

Arunrat Tangmunkongvorakul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Transfusion ◽

Respiratory Distress ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Referral Hospital ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Data Set ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Transfusion Reactions

ObjectivesBlood transfusion is a life-saving procedure and is also associated with a range of risks including the occurrence of symptoms of acute transfusion reactions (ATRs). Very few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have reported on ATRs. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by documenting the prevalence of and factors associated with ATRs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).DesignThis is a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study using blood bank data from a general referral hospital.SettingCentre Hospitalier Mère-Enfant (CHME) Monkole, a general referral hospital in Kinshasa, DRC.ParticipantsGeneral population who have received blood transfusion in CHME Monkole between 2014 and 2019.ResultsThe data set included a total of 7166 patients; 3153 (44%) men and 4013 (56%) women. The overall prevalence of symptoms of ATRs was 2.6%; the lowest prevalence was in 2017 (2.34%) and highest in 2018 (2.95%) and 2019 (2.94%). The documented symptoms included 74 (39.6%) cases of dyspnoea/respiratory distress, 60 (32.1%) cases of fever, 36 (19.2%) cases of pruritus/urticaria and 17 (9.1%) cases of vomiting. None of the studied factors was associated with symptoms of ATRs.ConclusionSymptoms of ATRs were not uncommon in the studied population. Dyspnoea and respiratory distress, fever and pruritus/urticaria were the most common symptoms of ATRs. This study highlights the need for a clinical and biological surveillance to detect, prevent and manage ATRs in the context of the DRC.

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