scholarly journals Women’s Empowerment and Children’s Complete Vaccination in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1117
Author(s):  
Xinran Lu ◽  
Chuchu Fu ◽  
Qianyun Wang ◽  
Qiwei He ◽  
Jiayi Hee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

(1) Background: The empowerment of women contributes to better child health and wellness. This study aimed to examine the association between women’s empowerment and complete vaccination of children, as recommended in the National Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on data from the Multiple-Indicator Cluster Survey 6 (MICS-6) to determine the dimensions of women’s empowerment. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between women’s empowerment and complete vaccination of children stratified by household wealth. In total, 3524 women with children aged 12–23 months were included in the study. (3) Results: Women’s empowerment was defined by three dimensions, namely intrinsic agency, enabling resources, and social independence. Children of women with high levels of empowerment had higher odds of complete vaccination, with values of 1.63 (p = 0.002) and 1.59 (p = 0.012) for intrinsic agency and enabling resources of the empowerment, respectively, compared to the children of women with low levels of empowerment; however, social independence failed to be associated with the vaccination status of children. After stratification by household wealth, the OR of complete vaccination was higher in women from middle-income households with high levels of intrinsic agency (OR: 2.35, p = 0.021) compared to women from poor households with high levels of intrinsic agency (OR: 1.92, p = 0.004). (4) Conclusions: Higher levels of women’s empowerment, especially intrinsic agency and enabling resources, were associated with complete vaccination in children in the DRC. Household wealth status influenced the associations. The empowerment of women is crucial in promoting the complete vaccination of children and providing equal access to vaccines.

scholarly journals Revisiting Konzo Risk Factors in Three Areas Differently Affected by Spastic Paraparesis in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Discloses a Prominent Role of the Nutritional Status—A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2628
Author(s):  
Marius Baguma ◽  
Espoir Bwenge Malembaka ◽  
Esto Bahizire ◽  
Germain Zabaday Mudumbi ◽  
Dieudonné Bahati Shamamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cyanide Poisoning ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

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.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7441
Author(s):  
Trésor Carsi Kuhangana ◽  
Caleb Kamanda Mbayo ◽  
Joseph Pyana Kitenge ◽  
Arlène Kazadi Ngoy ◽  
Taty Muta Musambo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Markets ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

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.

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

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals First Report on Three Cases of Monkey pox in Nord Ubangi Province (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Symptomatic Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
First Report ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

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.

scholarly journals Affective and Psychotic Disorders in War-Torn Eastern Part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Bives Mutume Vivalya ◽  
Germain Manzekele Bin Kitoko ◽  
Adelard Kalima Nzanzu ◽  
Martial Mumbere Vagheni ◽  
Rock Kasereka Masuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Bipolar Affective Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Bipolar Affective Disorders

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.

scholarly journals Co-infection of malaria and HIV infection in severely undernourished children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study

Parasitology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-253
Author(s):  
MuziaziaLupemba Jacques ◽  
MaibougeTanko Mahamane Salissou ◽  
Lufuluabo Kaswiyi ◽  
Fei Guan ◽  
Jiahui Lei
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Predictors ◽  
Hiv Seropositivity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Serostatus ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document