scholarly journals Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV in Rural Area of Democratic Republic of the Congo: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Survey among Service Users

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mida Kautako-Kiambi ◽  
Mathilde B. Ekila ◽  
Smith Kama-Lemba ◽  
Roger Wumba ◽  
Michel N. Aloni

Aims.To determine the prevalence of HIV, the level of sexual risk for HIV, and determinants of VCT attendance among adult population living in a rural area.Methods.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mbanza-Ngungu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. An anonymous questionnaire was designed to extract relevant data.Results.In our cohort, 69% were respondents of more than 24 years of age and the single marital status was most represented (64.1%). A high proportion of respondents (90.6%) visited VCT service for requiring information (good acceptability). Positive test for HIV was reported in 9.4% of respondents. In this cohort, 49.6% of respondents had declared themselves to never use condom. In binary analysis, there was association between positive HIV test and age (p=0.04) and religions (p=0.02). In this cohort, it was observed that positive HIV test was significantly associated with confidentiality (p=0.02). However, there was no association between positive HIV test and condom use (p=0.25), knowledge of VCT (p=0.81), service requested (p=0.20), and previous HIV test (p=0.68).Conclusions.Preventive information for AIDS should be recommended in the population living in rural zone.

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Tonen-Wolyec ◽  
Ralph-Sydney Mboumba Bouassa ◽  
Salomon Batina-Agasa ◽  
Alliance Tagoto Tepungipame ◽  
Charles Kayembe Tshilumba ◽  
...  

HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers an alternative to facility-based voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services, particularly for vulnerable populations such as adolescents. This study aimed to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with adolescents preferring home-based HIVST over facility-based VCT in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A representative cross-sectional study using random sampling in clusters at three levels was conducted among adolescents (aged 15–19 years) to assess their hypothetical preference in home-based HIVST over facility-based VCT by a face-to-face, paper-based, semi-structured questionnaire, and logistic regression for statistical analysis. In 353 households, 754 adolescents were assessed for eligibility, of whom 628 were eligible. A total of 597 adolescents completed the study questionnaire. A majority of participants were aged 18–19 and of female gender. More than two-thirds of participants had never been tested for HIV and had no knowledge about HIVST before this survey. Among 597 adolescents who had completed the study questionnaire, a slight majority of participants (323/597; 54.1% [95% CI: 50.0–58.0]) preferred home-based HIVST over facility-based VCT. In a multivariate analysis, male gender (adjusted OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.1), marriage or partnered civil status (adjusted OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1), and previous knowledge about HIVST (adjusted OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.6–6.8) were associated with preference for home-based HIVST over facility-based VCT. This study demonstrates that more adolescents preferred home-based HIVST over facility-based VCT in Kisangani. These observations suggest the existence of a specific sociodemographic profile associated with the acceptance of HIVST in adolescents living in sub-Saharan Africa.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getachew Fikadie ◽  
Melkamu Bedimo ◽  
Zelalem Alamrew

Background.In Ethiopia university students are among the most sexually active and high HIV risk young population group but unfortunately VCT uptake was low (35%–38%) among this group. Examining the factors contributing to VCT uptake is vital to facilitate HIV prevention and control efforts.Objective.To assess the prevalence of voluntary counseling and testing utilization and its associated factors among Bahirdar University students in April 2012.Methods.Cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2012, among Bahirdar University students. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 801 students. Data were collected using pretested self-administered questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version-16.Results.772 students (79.7% males) participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents’ was 21.3. From all respondents 37.8% of the study participants had undergone HIV test. Different variables showed significant association with VCT uptake.Conclusion.The major factors identified for increased VCT service utilization were having a friend who got VCT, having discussion about HIV/AIDS with family, origin of residence, year of study, and having boy- or girlfriend. Therefore, actions targeting these predictors are necessary to effectively enhance the use of the VCT services utilization among students.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2628
Author(s):  
Marius Baguma ◽  
Espoir Bwenge Malembaka ◽  
Esto Bahizire ◽  
Germain Zabaday Mudumbi ◽  
Dieudonné Bahati Shamamba ◽  
...  

This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to better understand the respective contributions of protein malnutrition and cassava-derived cyanide poisoning in the development of konzo. We compared data on nutritional status and cyanide exposure of school-age adolescent konzo-diseased patients to those of non-konzo subjects of similar age from three areas in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our results show that konzo patients had a high prevalence of both wasting (54.5%) and stunting (72.7%), as well as of cyanide poisoning (81.8%). Controls from Burhinyi and those from Idjwi showed a similar profile with a low prevalence of wasting (3.3% and 6.5%, respectively) and intermediate prevalence of stunting (26.7% and 23.9%, respectively). They both had a high prevalence of cyanide poisoning (50.0% and 63.0%, respectively), similar to konzo-patients. On the other hand, controls from Bukavu showed the lowest prevalence of both risk factors, namely chronic malnutrition (12.1%) and cyanide poisoning (27.6%). In conclusion, cassava-derived cyanide poisoning does not necessarily coexist with konzo outbreaks. The only factor differentiating konzo patients from healthy individuals exposed to cyanide poisoning appeared to be their worse nutritional status. This further suggests that, besides the known role of cyanide poisoning in the pathogenesis of konzo, malnutrition may be a key factor for the disease occurrence.


Author(s):  
Trésor Carsi Kuhangana ◽  
Caleb Kamanda Mbayo ◽  
Joseph Pyana Kitenge ◽  
Arlène Kazadi Ngoy ◽  
Taty Muta Musambo ◽  
...  

Background. Public markets were exempted from the restrictive regulations instituted to limit the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the early stage of the pandemic, we assessed people’s knowledge, attitudes, and behavior on public markets towards COVID-19. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 16 to 29 April 2020 among sellers and customers frequenting the food sections of ten public markets in three large cities (Kolwezi, Likasi, and Lubumbashi) and one small town (Lwambo) of the former Katanga province. We administered a questionnaire on knowledge (about clinical characteristics, transmission and prevention) and on attitudes in relation to COVID-19. We also observed prevailing practices (hand-washing and mask-wearing). Results: Of the 347 included participants (83% women, 83% sellers), most had low socioeconomic status and a low level of education. Only 30% of participants had correct knowledge of COVID-19. The majority of the respondents (88%) showed no confidence in the government’s ability to manage the upcoming pandemic crisis. Nearly all respondents (98%) were concerned about the associated increase in food insecurity. Preventive practices were rarely in place. Conclusion: For an effective implementation of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, appropriate health education programs to improve knowledge and attitudes are warranted among the population frequenting public markets.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Khonde Kumbu ◽  
K. Mbanzulu Makola ◽  
Lu Bin

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-125
Author(s):  
Koto-te-Nyiwa Ngbolua ◽  
Guy Kumbali Ngambika ◽  
Blaise Mbembo-wa-Mbembo ◽  
Kohowe Pagerezo Séraphin ◽  
Kogana Kapalata Fabrice ◽  
...  

Monkey pox is a rare viral zoonotic disease of which clinical manifestations are similar to smallpox, it is transmitted to humans by direct contact with the body of an infected animal, but the transmission can also be human-to-human. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the most endemic country in the world where almost all provinces are affected by this scourge. However, in the administrative configuration currently, monkey pox has not been detected in Nord Ubangi province yet. This cross-sectional study focuses on three cases of patients diagnosed with monkey pox virus at Businga General Hospital in Nord Ubangi province. The findings show that all the three patients were male with a primary education level and their average age was 9±3.46 years. They had some epidemiological characteristics specific to monkey pox, including high fevers, rashes, pruritus and abdominal pain. After two weeks of symptomatic treatment, each patient was able to get out without further complications. For the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the cases of Monkey pox in Nord Ubangi Province.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Bives Mutume Vivalya ◽  
Germain Manzekele Bin Kitoko ◽  
Adelard Kalima Nzanzu ◽  
Martial Mumbere Vagheni ◽  
Rock Kasereka Masuka ◽  
...  

Background. There is lack of information about prevalence of affective and psychotic disorders triggered by traumatic events among people living in war-affected regions. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence rate of affective and psychotic disorders and the associated factors in a war-torn eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods. This epidemiological cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019 at Cepima and Muyisa health centers. This study enrolled 344 patients that had experienced traumatic events in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo from the 1119 participants, of whom 229 had positive bipolar affective disorder and 115 patients had psychotic disorders. Results. The results revealed that bipolar affective disorders were two times more than psychotic disorders. Sexual abuse, sudden death of a relative, kidnapping, the physical torture, and childhood trauma were the psychological factors correlated to the occurrence of bipolar affective and psychotic disorders. Conclusions. It was concluded that the traumatic experiences were precursors for the occurrence of bipolar affective and psychotic spectrum disorders.


Parasitology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-253
Author(s):  
MuziaziaLupemba Jacques ◽  
MaibougeTanko Mahamane Salissou ◽  
Lufuluabo Kaswiyi ◽  
Fei Guan ◽  
Jiahui Lei

AbstractPurposeThis study aims to determine the prevalence of malaria and HIV seropositivity among children with undernutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.MethodsA cross-sectional study of undernourished children aged between 12 and 60 months in Kalembe-Lembe hospital was carried out. Blood samples were collected for the analyses of malaria parasite, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. HIV serostatus was determined with rapid HIV antibody tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify clinical predictors of HIV seropositivity.ResultsOf 225 children, 88.9% had malaria; the parasite loads were 16 000 para per μL (38.0%); 24 400 para per μL (56.8%), P < 0.001 and malaria and associated HIV infection accounted for 29.2%. In children aged >12 months, HIV seroprevalence was 29.3%; 86.0% had undernutrition and malaria, 6.8% had undernutrition and HIV and 4.3% had undernutrition, HIV and malaria (P < 0.001). The occurrence of at least three or more symptoms was highly specific (96.4–100.0%) for HIV seropositivity (P < 0.05). The overall mortality rate was 18.4%, higher in children with malaria and HIV (39.6% vs 12.2%, P < 0.001) and those with lower weight gain (4.3 vs 7.5 g kg−1 day−1, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThere was high prevalence of malaria and HIV and mortality among severely undernourished children with malaria and HIV.


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