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Introduction: Little information is available regarding the characteristics of patients attending the emergency centre (EC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study aims to provide some epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients admitted to the emergency centre at Beni General Referral Hospital. Methodology: For a year, from January to December 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Data regarding patients' characteristics, admission modality, stay duration, reason for admission, and discharge modality was anonymously collected from patients' registers. A descriptive analysis was done with Epi-Info 7. Result: A total of 1404 patients were admitted to the EC, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2 to 1. The age group below 18 years accounted for 35.4%. Most of the patients (75.7%) originated from urban areas. In 83% of cases, there was no recommendation from another medical facility for EC admission. The most common reasons for admission are non-traumatic gathering on top of neuropsychiatric and non-specific symptoms. Road traffic accidents are the most frequent causes of trauma symptoms. Few patients (14.7%) spent less than 12 hours in the EC. Globally, 7.3% of patients admitted to the EC were discharged after being managed, and 89% were transferred to different wards. The intra-emergency centre mortality rate was 11.8% among admitted patients in the ER at Beni General Referral Hospital. Conclusion: This epidemiology database underlines the need for developing globalizing and multi-sectoral interventions (diagnosis, therapeutic strategy, organization, health program, or health policies) in the perspective of bringing change and/or taking action in the Democratic Republic of Congo's emergency medical system.
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Humans , Male , Female , Patient Admission , Wounds and Injuries , Emergencies , Emergency Medical Services , Health Policy , Accidents, TrafficABSTRACT
Background and Aims: Manotes expansa Sol. ex Planch. and Aframomum alboviolaceum (Ridl.) Schum. are two plants belonging respectively to the family Connaraceae R.Br. and Zingiberaceae Martino widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of eye diseases, fever, headaches, gastritis as well as asthma. The aim of the present study is the valorization of these two plants collected in the Democratic Republic of Congo by a quantitative and qualitative analysis of secondary metabolites and mineral elements in their leaves. Materials and Methods: The determination of secondary metabolites in the leaves of Manotes expansa and Aframomum alboviolaceum was carried out by UV-Visible spectrophotometry and X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometry for the identification and quantitative analysis of mineral elements. Results: The results showed that the leaves of these two plants are rich in phenolic compounds, i.e. 442.2 mgEqAG/g for the leaves of A. alboviolaceum, 370.64 mgEqAG/g for the red leaves and 282.64 mgEqAG/g green leaves of M. expansa. Although being part of the same plant, the red and green leaves of M. expansa presented a totally different phytochemical profile. The contents of condensed tannins, anthocyanins and flavonoids are respectively 0.3%, 0.68% and 3.29% for the leaves of A. alboviolaceum; 0.58%, 0.36% and 6.89% for the red leaves, and 0.65%, 0.26% and 7.55% for the green leaves of M. expansa. The mineral content in the leaves of both plants remains dominated by the high concentration of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe). Conclusion: The high content of phenolic compounds and essential trace elements makes the leaves of M. expansa and A. alboviolaceum potential candidates to alleviate several health problems in Africa in general and particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Contexte et objectifs. La RDC a un écosystème favorable à la survenue des maladies d'origine zoonotique à l'interface homme-animal dont la maladie à virus Ebola (MVE). Face à une létalité reconnue être élevée pour cette dernière, cette étude s'est focalisée sur les épidémies survenues à Mweka (2007 et 2008), à Isiro (2012), à Boende (2014) et à Likati (2017) afin de décrire les différents éléments de réponse mis en place lors de chacune de ces épidémies et identifier ceux qui ont une influence significative sur l'ampleur de l'épidémie. Méthodes. Une étude documentaire analytique sur les données secondaires recueillies lors de la gestion de ces cinq épidémies de la MVE survenues en RDC. Les statistiques descriptives ont été réalisées pour caractériser chaque épidémie. Les analyses univariées de chaque élément de réponse ont été menées en rapport avec la létalité. Résultats. Un total de 422 cas a été enregistré avec 282 décès soit 66,8 % de létalité. La grande majorité de cas se trouve dans la tranche d'âge de 15 à 49 ans. Le sexe féminin est le plus représenté. Parmi tous les éléments de la réponse, dans un modèle univarié, le déploiement du laboratoire mobile (p=0,002), la fonctionnalité des commissions (p=0,001), le déploiement d'une équipe multidisciplinaire et le système de surveillance performant (p=0,001) sont associés significativement à la létalité. Conclusion. Le déploiement rapide du laboratoire mobile sur le terrain, le déploiement des équipes multidisciplinaires, la bonne fonctionnalité des commissions et le système de surveillance fonctionnel ont permis de réduire significativement la létalité
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Democratic Republic of the Congo , Epidemics , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/classification , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/epidemiology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/mortalityABSTRACT
Objective To improve knowledge and practice of health staff as well as the availability of material resources for diagnosis and management of schistosomiasis in two endemic provinces of DRC (Kinshasa and Bas-Congo). Methods Structured interviews were performed using questionnaires with staff from 35 healthcare facilities in 9 health zones (HZ) of Kinshasa and 2 HZ in Bas-Congo. Results Schistosomiasis was reported to be present in all the included HZ. Health staff knew the most important symptoms of schistosomiasis, but advanced symptoms were more accurately reported in Bas-Congo. Knowledge of symptoms related to schistosomiasis such as anemia (P = 0.0 115) and pollakiuria (P = 0.0 260) was statistically different in both two provinces. Kato-Katz technique and urine filtration were unavailable in both provinces. Parasitological diagnosis was mostly performed using the direct smear method. PZQ was available in 70% of the health facilities, all situated in Bas-Congo. Diagnosis and treatment mostly relied on symptoms and cost more in urban area than in rural. Conclusions Though knowledge on schistosomiasis among health staff appears sufficient, substantial efforts still must be made to improve the availability of diagnostic tools and treatment in the health facilities in DRC.
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Objective To analyze the feasibility of detecting Ph
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Objective:To analyze the feasibility of detecting Ph1 in leukemia patients in the Kinshasa University Clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo,at KU Leuven,Belgium.Methods:Bone marrow and peripheral blood samples with chronic myeloid leukemia,acute myeloid leukemia or acute leukocytes leukemia were obtained from 32 patients in Kinshasa University clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo and transferred to KU Leuven in Belgium for iFISH feasibility.Ph1 was detected by using a remote analysis of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH).Results:Out of the 32 patients involved in this study,65.6％ (n =21) of the cases were successfully tested,of which 52.4％ (n =11) were iFISH positives for the variant t(9;22)(presence of Ph1) in chronic myeloid leukemia samples and 47.6％ (n =10) negatives in all subtypes of hematological malignancies.However,there was a female predominance in chronic myeloid leukemia samples Phi-positives by iFISH,whereas no sexual influence was observed on acute subtypes of leukemia.Conclusions:iFISH analysis is feasible on samples obtained from remote sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo.However,the optimization of the sample storage is necessary to further improve iFISH's performance.
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Objective:To improve knowledge and practice of health staff as well as the availability of material resources for diagnosis and management of schistosomiasis in two endemic provinces of DRC (Kinshasa and Bas-Congo).Methods:Structured interviews were performed using questionnaires with staff from 35 healthcare facilities in 9 health zones (HZ) of Kinshasa and 2 HZ in Bas-Congo.Results:Schistosomiasis was reported to be present in all the included HZ.Health staff knew the most important symptoms of schistosomiasis,but advanced symptoms were more accurately reported in Bas-Congo.Knowledge of symptoms related to schistosomiasis such as anemia (P =0.0115) and pollakiuria (P =0.0260) was statistically different in both two provinces.Kato-Katz technique and urine filtration were unavailable in both provinces.Parasitological diagnosis was mostly performed using the direct smear method.PZQ was available in 70％ of the health facilities,all situated in Bas-Congo.Diagnosis and treatment mostly relied on symptoms and cost more in urban area than in rural.Conclusions:Though knowledge on schistosomiasis among health staff appears sufficient,substantial efforts still must be made to improve the availability of diagnostic tools and treatment in the health facilities in DRC.
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PURPOSE: This study aims to identify factors affecting more than four times prenatal care utilization among reproductive aged women in Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study conducted in Democratic Republic of Congo in July, 2014. Survey was done among 494 respondents, data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression showed an association between age (OR:1.037) in predisposing factor, women who have health insurance in their household (OR:2.876) and timing of first prenatal visit (OR:7.148) in enabling factors and number of delivery 3~5 times (OR:0.587) more than 6 times (OR:0.357) in need factor with more than four times prenatal visits. CONCLUSION: Maternal health improvement interventions should focus on education for women who are younger and multiparous. Early detection of pregnancy and encourage to visit in first trimester are needed. Finally, introduction of the health insurance system is important to minimize cost of out of pocket.
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Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Causality , Congo , Education , Family Characteristics , Insurance, Health , Logistic Models , Maternal Health , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Prenatal Care , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Aims: Our study is aimed at determining the risk factors of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) in Mbuji Mayi, Eastern Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Study Design: We used a case-control design with a ratio of 2 controls for every HAT case. Place and Duration of Study: Our multidisciplinary research team collected primary data on cases of HAT patients treated at the Referral and Treatment Center of Dipumba in Mbuji Mayi in 2012 and on their controls of similar gender and age, living in Mbuji Mayi, but free of HAT infection. Methodology: We analyzed data, using both descriptive and analytical statistical procedures such univariate and multivariate methods of logistic regression. The association between the different factors studied and HAT infection has been determined by estimating the odds-ratio (OR) with a confidence interval (CI) of 95% and a P-value of less than 0.05. We interviewed 180 subjects (60 cases and 120 controls). Results: The 60 cases were predominantly male (male-female ratio of 2.2:1) with the majority (53%) in the age group of 20-40 years. Subjects in the age group of over 40 represented 28.3% of the patients. The same patterns were seen in the control group. The age of interviewees varies from 11 to 65 years. HAT cases reported drawing water from wells (16.7% vs 6.7%; P > .05), walking along the river bed and in the peat lands (11.7% vs 9.2%; P > .05) at a higher rate than controls. The HAT cases reported involvement in various activities that put them in much closer proximity with water sources: bathing (8.3% vs 6.6%; P >.05), dishwashing and laundry (20% vs 37.5%), fetching household water (50% vs 24.2%; P<.0001), cassava retting roots (1,7% vs 7.5%), diamond digging in the mines (51.7% vs 21.6%; P < .0001), trafficking or buying diamond from diggers (13,3% vs 8.3% ; P > .05). Conclusion: Involvement in activities that connect with water sources increases the risk of acquiring HAT infection in Mbuji Mayi.
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Aims: This study aims at investigating the antibacterial activity of crude methanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves and root barks of Jatropha curcas against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from urinary tract infections (UTIs) and to confirm the effective use of this plant against the uropathogenic strains in traditional medicine in Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C). Study Design: Laboratory experimental tests; Extraction of J. curcas leaf and root bark, susceptibility tests (zones of inhibition) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination and phytochemical screening and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Phytobiology, Department of Biotechnology and Department of Microbiology, General Atomic Energy Commission. Regional Center of Nuclear Studies of Kinshasa P.O BOX 868 Kin. XI DRC during October and November 2011. Methodology: Fresh leaves and root barks of J. curcas were collected, oven- dried at 45ºC, powdered and extracted with water and methanol. The aqueous extracts were lyophilized. Agar disc diffusion method was used to test antibacterial activity of the crude extracts of J. curcas against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Citrobacter diversus isolated from UTIs. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical tests. HPLC method was used to screen phenolic compounds. Results: The crude extracts exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against four of seven tested bacterial isolates. MIC values ranged from 1.0 to 7.5 mg/L. The extracts phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, steroids and flavonoids. The presence of phenolic compounds was screened by HPLC analysis. Conclusion: The inhibitory effects of the crude extracts from leaves and root barks against uropathogenic strains have justified the usefulness of J. curcas for the treatment of UTIs and sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) in traditional medicine of D.R.C.
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Por meio da descrição de dois exemplos de intervenções de saúde mental em emergências humanitárias, esta reflexão visa problematizar o trabalho do psicólogo nestas situações. Os conceitos de "humanitário" e de "emergência" são discutidos à luz dos trabalhos realizados na República Democrática do Congo e no Haiti. Em ambos os países, as intervenções de saúde mental se deram por meio de uma organização humanitária internacional e nos dois casos, o objetivo era oferecer apoio psicológico à população em conjunto com uma equipe nacional formada por profissionais de diferentes áreas. Em ambos os casos, as especificidades culturais, assim como os desafios teóricos e metodológicos da ação do psicólogo são apresentados, notadamente as questões morais, de gênero e de inscrição do trabalho psicológico em contextos de grande carência de redes e de seguridade social. Por fim, são apresentadas considerações a respeito de algumas teorias e técnicas já descritas para este tipo de atuação psicológica, enfatizando-se a importância da escuta e da ressignificação dentro do contexto cultural de cada sujeito.
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Altruism , Psychology , Mental Health , Emergency Relief , Haiti , Democratic Republic of the CongoABSTRACT
Objective To clarify malaria infection and the incidence in first Chinese medical team of United Nation peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo and evaluate the effect of prevention measures so that provide reference for studying on malaria prevention and the precautionary measures for the follow-up personnel in Africa. Methods 43 cases (male 30, female 13) were observed between Apr. and Dec. 2003 when they were deployed in D.R.of Congo. Eliminating mosquito was used to decrease the density, including the usage of driving mosquito machine, killing mosquito lamp and chlorine cyanogens chrysanthemum ester, ”Prevent malaria-3”and COTECXIN as the precautionary medicines. Plasmodiums in blood were checked periodically. The cases with positive result of blood test and without clinical symptom was considered as infection, otherwise as disease with symptom appeared. Results The density of mosquito in house decreased. 3 cases (male 2, female 1) suffering from malaria, the incidence was 6.98%. Plasmodium was found in 39 individuals (male 26, female 13), the infection rate was 90.70%. The incidence was the lowest compared with contingents from other countries. Conclusion It was effective that these measures taken by reducing mosquito density and ”Prevent malaria-3”and COTECXIN usage in Chinese medical team during peacekeeping mission .