Method of Payment and Accessibility and Accessibility to Healthcare in Urban Areas: Case of the Health District of Kisanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo

AbstractObjectiveAdequate iodine and Fe intakes are imperative during pregnancy to prevent fetal defects, but such data are not available in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We aimed to assess iodine and Fe status in pregnant women from Lubumbashi.DesignCross-sectional study. We measured urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in random urine samples using a modified Sandell–Kolthoff digestion method; the WHO reference medians were used to classify iodine intake as deficient, adequate, more than adequate or excessive. Serum ferritin concentrations were measured by immunoenzymatic assay and considered insufficient when <12 ng/ml.SettingMaternity units from rural, semi-urban and urban areas of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.SubjectsTwo hundred and twenty-five randomly selected pregnant women attending prenatal consultation, seventy-five postpartum women and seventy-five non-pregnant women as controls.ResultsOverall median UIC in pregnant women was 138 (interquartile range: 105–172) μg/l, indicating iodine deficiency, whereas postpartum and non-pregnant women had adequate iodine intake: median UIC = 144 μg/l and 204 μg/l, respectively. Median UIC values were lower in late pregnancy than in early pregnancy: in the first, second and third trimester respectively 255 μg/l, 70 μg/l and 88 μg/l in the rural area; 306 μg/l, 166 μg/l and 68 μg/l in the semi-urban area; and 203 μg/l, 174 μg/l and 99 μg/l in the urban area. Fe was insufficient in 39 % of pregnant women compared with 21 % of non-pregnant and postpartum women. In the third trimester, deficiencies in both iodine and Fe were high: 40 %, 12 % and 18 % in the rural, semi-urban and urban areas, respectively.ConclusionsOur data suggest that pregnant women are at risk of iodine and Fe deficiencies in Lubumbashi. Country policies fighting against iodine and Fe deficiencies during pregnancy should be reinforced.

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Bushmeat consumption among rural and urban children from Province Orientale, Democratic Republic of Congo

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605313000549 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 165-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Nathalie van Vliet ◽

Casimir Nebesse ◽

Robert Nasi

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Rural Households ◽

Urban Children ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Wild Meat ◽

Domestic Sources

AbstractUnderstanding the importance of bushmeat consumption for household nutrition, both in rural and urban settings, is critical to developing politically acceptable ways to reduce unsustainable exploitation. This study provides insights into bushmeat consumption patterns relative to the consumption of other meat (from the wild, such as fish and caterpillars, or from domestic sources, such as beef, chicken, pork, goat and mutton) among children from Province Orientale, Democratic Republic of Congo. Our results show that urban and rural households consume more meat from the wild than from domestic sources. Of the various types of wild meat, bushmeat and fish are the most frequently consumed by children from Kisangani and fish is the most frequently consumed in villages. Poorer urban households eat meat less frequently but consume bushmeat more frequently than wealthier households. In urban areas poorer households consume common bushmeat species more frequently and wealthier households eat meat from larger, threatened species more frequently. Urban children eat more bushmeat from larger species (duiker Cephalophus spp. and red river hog Potamochoerus porcus) than rural children (rodents, small monkeys), probably because rural households tend to consume the less marketable species or the smaller animals. We show that despite the tendency towards more urbanized population profiles and increased livelihood opportunities away from forest and farms, wildlife harvest remains a critical component of nutritional security and diversity in both rural and urban areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Malaria parasite species composition of Plasmodium infections among asymptomatic and symptomatic school-age children in rural and urban areas of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-021-03919-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sabin S. Nundu ◽

Richard Culleton ◽

Shirley V. Simpson ◽

Hiroaki Arima ◽

Jean-Jacques Muyembe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urban Area ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Malaria Parasite ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

School Age Children ◽

Asymptomatic Malaria ◽

School Age ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Symptomatic Malaria

Abstract Background Malaria remains a major public health concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and school-age children are relatively neglected in malaria prevalence surveys and may constitute a significant reservoir of transmission. This study aimed to understand the burden of malaria infections in school-age children in Kinshasa/DRC. Methods A total of 634 (427 asymptomatic and 207 symptomatic) blood samples collected from school-age children aged 6 to 14 years were analysed by microscopy, RDT and Nested-PCR. Results The overall prevalence of Plasmodium spp. by microscopy, RDT and PCR was 33%, 42% and 62% among asymptomatic children and 59%, 64% and 95% in symptomatic children, respectively. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale spp. by PCR was 58%, 20% and 11% among asymptomatic and 93%, 13% and 16% in symptomatic children, respectively. Among P. ovale spp., P. ovale curtisi, P. ovale wallikeri and mixed P. ovale curtisi + P. ovale wallikeri accounted for 75%, 24% and 1% of infections, respectively. All Plasmodium species infections were significantly more prevalent in the rural area compared to the urban area in asymptomatic infections (p < 0.001). Living in a rural as opposed to an urban area was associated with a five-fold greater risk of asymptomatic malaria parasite carriage (p < 0.001). Amongst asymptomatic malaria parasite carriers, 43% and 16% of children harboured mixed Plasmodium with P. falciparum infections in the rural and the urban areas, respectively, whereas in symptomatic malaria infections, it was 22% and 26%, respectively. Few children carried single infections of P. malariae (2.2%) and P. ovale spp. (1.9%). Conclusion School-age children are at significant risk from both asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria infections. Continuous systematic screening and treatment of school-age children in high-transmission settings is needed.

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Epidemiological Profile of Deaths in Children Aged 0 to 59 in the Pygmy Community. Case of the Manono and Ankoro Health District of Tanganyika Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo

OALib ◽

10.4236/oalib.1108229 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 08 (12) ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Sango Kyungu Fiston ◽

Mufite Kapya Danny ◽

Numbi Banza John ◽

Nday Ilunga Lina ◽

Nsenga Ndala Bernard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Health District ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Epidemiological Profile

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Energy Drink Consumption among Adolescents Attending Schools in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18147617 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (14) ◽

pp. 7617

Author(s):

Trésor Carsi Kuhangana ◽

Taty Muta Musambo ◽

Joseph Pyana Kitenge ◽

Tony Kayembe-Kitenge ◽

Arlène Kazadi Ngoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Large City ◽

Global Market ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Market Expansion ◽

Regular Consumption

Background: The consumption of energy drinks (EDs) is increasing in the general population, but little is known about the consumption of EDs among pupils in Africa. This study was designed to assess the consumption of EDs among pupils between 10 and 17 years of age and to assess average caffeine concentrations contained in EDs sold in Lubumbashi. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in five schools using a standardised questionnaire taken face-to-face. Samples of locally purchased EDs were analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ultra-Violet spectrometry (HPLC-UV). Results: Of 338 pupils (54% girls), 63% reported having consumed at least one ED in the last week and 34% drank at least one ED a day. The cheapest ED was the most widely consumed. Among pupils having consumed at least one ED in the last week, 79% reported consuming it for refreshment and 15% to get energy. For those who reported not consuming EDs, 40% reported that their parents or teachers forbade them to drink EDs. Some (14%) teenagers, mainly boys, mixed ED with alcohol. The concentrations of caffeine measured in twelve brands of EDs ranged from 7.6 to 29.4 mg/100 mL (median 23.3), giving caffeine contents of 37.5 to 160 mg (median 90 mg) per can or bottle. The estimated daily intake of caffeine through EDs was between 51.3 mg and 441.3 mg among those consuming EDs regularly. Conclusion: Our study convincingly demonstrates that caffeine-containing EDs are not only consumed by youngsters living in affluent societies. We documented widespread regular consumption of EDs among (pre-)adolescent schoolchildren living in Lubumbashi, a large city of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In view of the global market expansion of caffeinated EDs, it is reasonable to suspect that similar surveys in other urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa would yield similar findings. Pricing and advertising regulations and education on EDs are necessary to limit the regular consumption of EDs among adolescents.

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Obstacles and Performance of Agribusiness Enterprises: Evidence from South-Kivu Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Asian Social Science ◽

10.5539/ass.v16n11p7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

Jacques Sadiki ◽

Stany Vwima ◽

Philippe Lebailly

Keyword(s):

Analysis Of Variance ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Transportation Cost ◽

Chi Square ◽

Republic Of Congo ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

South Kivu ◽

And Performance

The objective of this study is to analyze differences between business obstacles and performance by their location using 92 food and agribusiness firms operating in rural and urban areas. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and analysis of variance are used to evaluate data collected through household surveys. Chi-square test are used to identify relationships between location and enterprises characteristics and business obstacles. Results reveal a less participation of female in ownership and management. Access to finance still the main obstacle faced by all firms. Scarcity of electricity, transportation cost and lack of equipment are perceived as severe and moderate obstacles. The analysis of variance show that urban firms are able generate higher profit margin than rural firms. These results are helpful for policymakers to promote food and agribusiness sector in order to reduce poverty and enable SME growth in Eastern of the Democratic Republic of Congo (South Kivu region).

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