scholarly journals Assessing the relationship between agency and peer violence among adolescents aged 10 to 14 years in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Blantyre, Malawi: A cross-sectional study

PLoS Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. e1003552
Author(s):  
Astha Ramaiya ◽  
Linnea Zimmerman ◽  
Eric Mafuta ◽  
Aimee Lulebo ◽  
Effie Chipeta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Freedom Of Movement ◽  
Individual Agency ◽  
Peer Violence ◽  
Violence Perpetration ◽  
The Relationship

Background Interpersonal violence has physical, emotional, educational, social, and economic implications. Although there is interest in empowering young people to challenge harmful norms, there is scant research on how individual agency, and, specifically, the “power to” resist or bring about an outcome relates to peer violence perpetration and victimization in early adolescence. This manuscript explores the relationship between individual agency and peer violence perpetration and victimization among very young adolescents (VYAs) living in 2 urban poor settings in sub-Saharan Africa (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Blantyre, Malawi). Methods and findings The study draws on 2 cross-sectional surveys including 2,540 adolescents 10 to 14 years from Kinshasa in 2017 (girls = 49.8% and boys = 50.2%) and 1,213 from Blantyre in 2020 (girls = 50.7% and boys = 49.3%). The sample was school based in Malawi but included in-school and out-of-school participants in Kinshasa due to higher levels of early school dropout. Peer violence in the last 6 months (dependent variable) was defined as a 4 categorical variable: (1) no victimization or perpetration; (2) victimization only; (3) perpetration only; and (4) both victimization and perpetration. Agency was operationalized using 3 scales: freedom of movement, voice, and decision-making, which were further divided into tertiles. Univariate analysis and multivariable multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate the relationships between each agency indicator and peer violence. The multivariable regression adjusted for individual, family, peer, and community level covariates. All analyses were stratified by gender and site. In both sites, adolescents had greater voice and decision-making power than freedom of movement, and boys had greater freedom of movement than girls. Boys in both settings were more likely to report peer violence in the last 6 months than girls (40% to 50% versus 32% to 40%, p < 0.001), mostly due to higher rates of a perpetration–victimization overlap (18% to 23% versus 10% to 15%, p < 0.001). Adolescents reporting the greatest freedom of movement (Tertile 3) (with the exception of girls in Kinshasa) had a greater relative risk ratio (RRR) of reporting a perpetrator–victim overlap (boys Kinshasa: RRR = 1.9 (1.2 to 2.8, p = 0.003); boys Blantyre: RRR = 3.8 (1.7 to 8.3, p = 0.001); and girls Blantyre: RRR = 2.4 (1.1 to 5.1, p = 0.03)). Adolescents with the highest decision-making power in Kinshasa also had greater RRR of reporting a perpetrator–victim overlap (boys: RRR = 3.0 (1.8 to 4.8, p < 0.001) and girls: RRR = 1.7 (1.02 to 2.7, p = 0.04)), and boys in Kinshasa with intermediate decision-making power had a lower RRR of being victimized (Tertile 2: RRR = 0.6 (0.4 to 0.9, p = 0.01)). Higher voice among boys in Kinshasa (Tertile 2: RRR = 1.9 (1.2 to 2.9, p = 0.003) and Tertile 3: 1.8 (1.2 to 2.8, p = 0.009)) and girls in Blantyre (Tertile 2: 2.0 (1.01 to 3.9, p = 0.048)) was associated with a perpetrator–victim overlap, and girls with more voice in Blantyre had a greater RRR of being victimized (Tertile 2: RRR = 1.9 (1.1 to 3.1, p = 0.02)). Generally, associations were stronger for boys than girls, and associations often differed when victimization and perpetration occurred in isolation of each other. A main limitation of this study is that the cross-sectional nature of the data does not allow a causal interpretation of the findings, which need further longitudinal exploration to establish temporality. Conclusions In this study, we observed that peer violence is a gendered experience that is related to young people’s agency. This stresses the importance of addressing interpersonal violence in empowerment programs and of including boys who experience the greatest perpetration–victimization overlap.

scholarly journals Relationship between women’s decision-making power over their own health care and use of modern contraception in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional secondary data analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan G. Butler ◽  
Melanie Walker ◽  
Lesley A. Pablo ◽  
Susan A. Bartels
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Secondary Data Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background In sub-Saharan Africa, the use of modern contraception (MC) is a critical intervention aimed at reducing mortality rates associated with unintended, high-risk pregnancies. However, among Congolese women aged 15–49, the prevalence of MC use is low. Research suggests that women’s general participation in decision-making is important in increasing MC use. However, little is known about the specific role of women’s decision-making power over their own health care and how it relates to MC use. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between women’s decision-making power over their own health care and use of MC. Methods A cross-sectional secondary data analysis was conducted using the most recent data from the 2013–2014 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Demographic and Health Survey. Women who were considered in need of contraception based on their family planning preferences were included in the study population (N = 6422). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine whether women’s decision-making power over their own health care was associated with the use of MC. Results Only one in ten women reported using a modern method of contraception. Logistic regression showed that women who made decisions alone regarding their own health care were more likely to use MC than women who had no say in these decisions, even after controlling for important covariates (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.00, 2.17). Conclusion The results of this study lend further support that promoting women’s autonomy and right to independently make decisions regarding their own health may be important in increasing the use of MC in the DRC. However, in order to effectively empower women to negotiate for the use of MC, qualitative research is needed to further assess the relationship between decision-making power and MC use.

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

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.

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

BMJ Open ◽  
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.

The relationship of self-acceptance with decision making duration in cancer patient to perform mastectomy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ayu Ratuati Setiawan ◽  
Feny Tunjungsari ◽  
Mochamad Aleq Sander
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Abnormal Growth ◽  
Self Acceptance ◽  
Observation Method ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a disease caused by abnormal growth of body cells that turn malignant and continue to grow uncontrollably. One of the treatments for breast cancer is mastectomy. The quickness of decision-making determines the survival rate of prognosis patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship of self-acceptance with decision-making duration in cancer patients to perform a mastectomy. METHODS: An analytic observation method with cross-sectional design. The samples were taken by purposive sampling method with 50 samples of breast cancer patients. Data collected include age, last level of education, marital status, profession, stage of cancer during mastectomy, self-acceptance score, and decision-making duration to perform a mastectomy. RESULTS: The data analyzed with the Kruskal–Wallis test. The test showed the relationship of self-acceptance (p = 0.027) with decision-making duration in breast cancer patients to perform a mastectomy. CONCLUSION: In Conclusion, there is a relationship of self-acceptance with decision-making duration in breast cancer patients to perform a mastectomy.

scholarly journals Determinants of Antenatal Care Attendance among Pregnant Women Living in Endemic Malaria Settings: Experience from the Democratic Republic of Congo

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Célestin Ndosimao Nsibu ◽  
Célestin Manianga ◽  
Serge Kapanga ◽  
Esther Mona ◽  
Philippe Pululu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of Congo

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.

scholarly journals The Association Between Patients' eHealth Literacy and Satisfaction With Shared Decision-making and Well-being: Multicenter Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Huan Xu ◽  
Ling-Ming Zhou ◽  
Eliza Lai-Yi Wong ◽  
Dong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Background Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND Although previous studies have shown that a high level of health literacy can improve patients’ ability to engage in health-related shared decision-making (SDM) and improve their quality of life, few studies have investigated the role of eHealth literacy in improving patient satisfaction with SDM (SSDM) and well-being. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the relationship between patients’ eHealth literacy and their socioeconomic determinants and to investigate the association between patients’ eHealth literacy and their SSDM and well-being. METHODS The data used in this study were obtained from a multicenter cross-sectional survey in China. The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) and Investigating Choice Experiments Capability Measure for Adults were used to measure patients’ eHealth literacy and capability well-being, respectively. The SSDM was assessed by using a self-administered questionnaire. The Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare the differences in the eHEALS, SSDM, and Investigating Choice Experiments Capability Measure for Adults scores of patients with varying background characteristics. Ordinary least square regression models were used to assess the relationship among eHealth literacy, SSDM, and well-being adjusted by patients’ background characteristics. RESULTS A total of 569 patients completed the questionnaire. Patients who were male, were highly educated, were childless, were fully employed, were without chronic conditions, and indicated no depressive disorder reported a higher mean score on the eHEALS. Younger patients (SSDM<sub>≥61 years</sub>=88.6 vs SSDM<sub>16-30 years</sub>=84.2) tended to show higher SSDM. Patients who were rural residents and were well paid were more likely to report good capability well-being. Patients who had a higher SSDM and better capability well-being reported a significantly higher level of eHealth literacy than those who had lower SSDM and poorer capability well-being. The regression models showed a positive relationship between eHealth literacy and both SSDM (<i>β</i>=.22; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and well-being (<i>β</i>=.26; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) after adjusting for patients’ demographic, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and health status variables. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that patients with a high level of eHealth literacy are more likely to experience optimal SDM and improved capability well-being. However, patients’ depressive status may alter the relationship between eHealth literacy and SSDM. CLINICALTRIAL

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