Analysis of induced abortion-related complications in women admitted to referral health facilities in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background: Current facility conditions, obstetric and neonatal care practices, and availability of emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC) were assessed in the Kwango and Kwilu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods: This is an analysis of the baseline survey data from an ongoing clinical mentoring program among 72 rural health facilities in the DRC. Data collectors visited each of the facilities and collected data through a pre-programmed smartphone. Frequencies of selected indicators were calculated by province and facility type—general referral hospital (GRH) and primary health centers (HC). Results: Facility conditions varied across province and facility type. Maternity wards and delivery rooms were available in the highest frequency of rooms assessed (>95% of all facilities). Drinking water was available in 25.0% of all facilities; electricity was available in 49.2% of labor rooms and 67.6% of delivery rooms in all facilities. Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care services were available but varied across facilities. While the proportion of blood pressure measured during antenatal care was high (94.9%), the antenatal screening rate for proteinuria was low (14.7%). The use of uterotonics immediately after birth was observed in high numbers across both provinces (94.4% in Kwango and 75.6% in Kwilu) and facility type (91.3% in GRH and 81.4% in HC). The provision of immediate postnatal care to mothers every 15 minutes was provided in less than 50% of all facilities. GRH facilities generally had higher frequencies of available equipment and more services available than HC. GRH facilities provided an average of 6 EmONC signal functions (range: 2-9). Conclusions: Despite poor facility conditions and a lack of supplies, GRH and HC facilities were able to provide EmONC care in rural DRC. These findings could guide the provision of essential needs to the health facilities for better delivery of maternal and neonatal care.

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Vaccination dropout rates among children aged 12-23 months in Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study

Archives of Public Health ◽

10.1186/s13690-021-00782-2 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Harry-César Kayembe-Ntumba ◽

Felly Vangola ◽

Papy Ansobi ◽

Germain Kapour ◽

Eric Bokabo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Random Effects ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Dropout Rate ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Health District ◽

Dropout Rates ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reminder System ◽

Republic Of The Congo

Abstract Background Overall, 1.8 million children fail to receive the 3-dose series for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis each year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Currently, an emergency plan targeting 9 provinces including Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, is launched to reinforce routine immunization. Mont Ngafula II was the only health district that experienced high vaccination dropout rates for nearly five consecutive years. This study aimed to identify factors predicting high immunization dropout rates among children aged 12-23 months in the Mont Ngafula II health district. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among 418 children in June-July 2019 using a two-stage sampling design. Socio-demographic and perception data were collected through a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The distribution of 2017-2018 immunization coverage and dropout rate was extracted from the local health district authority and mapped. Logistic random effects regression models were used to identify predictors of high vaccination dropout rates. Results Of the 14 health areas in the Mont Ngafula II health district, four reported high vaccine coverage, only one recorded low vaccine coverage, and three reported both low vaccine coverage and high dropout rate. In the final multivariate logistic random effects regression model, the predictors of immunization dropout among children aged 12-23 months were: living in rural areas, unavailability of seats, non-compliance with the order of arrival during vaccination in health facilities, and lack of a reminder system on days before the scheduled vaccination. Conclusions Our results advocate for prioritizing targeted interventions and programs to strengthen interpersonal communication between immunization service providers and users during vaccination in health facilities and to implement an SMS reminder system on days before the scheduled vaccination.

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“You must first save her life”: community perceptions towards induced abortion and post-abortion care in North and South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters ◽

10.1080/09688080.2019.1571309 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 106-117 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sara E Casey ◽

Victoria J Steven ◽

Julianne Deitch ◽

Erin Files Dumas ◽

Meghan C Gallagher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Induced Abortion ◽

Community Perceptions ◽

Abortion Care ◽

Post Abortion Care ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

South Kivu ◽

Post Abortion ◽

North And South

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Drug use in the management of uncomplicated malaria in public health facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-018-2332-3 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nsengi Y. Ntamabyaliro ◽

Christian Burri ◽

Didier B. Nzolo ◽

Aline B. Engo ◽

Yves N. Lula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Drug Use ◽

Uncomplicated Malaria ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Public Health Facilities ◽

Republic Of The Congo

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Facility conditions, obstetric and neonatal care practices, and availability of emergency obstetric and neonatal care in 72 rural health facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A cross-sectional study

Gates Open Research ◽

10.12688/gatesopenres.12905.2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 13 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rebecca Carter ◽

Xu Xiong ◽

Paul-Samson Lusamba-Dikassa ◽

Elvis C. Kuburhanwa ◽

Francine Kimanuka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Health ◽

Postnatal Care ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Neonatal Care ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Facility Conditions ◽

Facility Type ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Care Practices ◽

Delivery Rooms

Background: Current facility conditions, obstetric and neonatal care practices, and availability of emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC) were assessed in the Kwango and Kwilu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods: This is an analysis of the baseline survey data from an ongoing clinical mentoring program among 72 rural health facilities in the DRC. Data collectors visited each of the facilities and collected data through a pre-programmed smartphone. Frequencies of selected indicators were calculated by province and facility type—general referral hospital (GRH) and primary health centers (HC). Results: Facility conditions varied across province and facility type. Maternity wards and delivery rooms were available in the highest frequency of rooms assessed (>95% of all facilities). Drinking water was available in 25.0% of all facilities; electricity was available in 49.2% of labor rooms and 67.6% of delivery rooms in all facilities. Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care services were available but varied across facilities. While the proportion of blood pressure measured during antenatal care was high (94.9%), the antenatal screening rate for proteinuria was low (14.7%). The use of uterotonics immediately after birth was observed in high numbers across both provinces (94.4% in Kwango and 75.6% in Kwilu) and facility type (91.3% in GRH and 81.4% in HC). The provision of immediate postnatal care to mothers every 15 minutes was provided in less than 50% of all facilities. GRH facilities generally had higher frequencies of available equipment and more services available than HC. GRH facilities provided an average of 6 EmONC signal functions (range: 2-9). Conclusions: Despite poor facility conditions and a lack of supplies, GRH and HC facilities were able to provide EmONC care in rural DRC. These findings could guide the provision of essential needs to the health facilities for better delivery of maternal and neonatal care.

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