Incidence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers during the first and second wave in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Protecting HCWs is of paramount importance to the World Health Organization (WHO). Outbreak investigation which is based on a critical assessment of core components of infection prevention and control (IPC) programs allows for the identification of different sources of exposure to the COVID-19 virus and for informing additional IPC recommendations. To date, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is categorized as a high-risk country due to weaknesses in the health system, low capacity for diagnosis, socioeconomic characteristics of the population, and insufficient vaccination coverage. AIM: To investigate the burden of COVID-19 among HCWs and identification of IPC gaps to reduce HCWs-associated infection at different levels (facilities, communities, and points of entry) following the WHO strategy for IPC program implementation during the first to the third wave of the pandemic. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the DRC National Department of Health (NDOH) database and WHO questionnaire suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases among HCWs from 10/03/2020 to 22/06/2021. The investigation was conducted by a trained IPC response team to identify the sources of the exposures. The questionnaire included demographics, profession, types of interaction between HCWs and patients, and community-based questions regarding family members and other behaviors. These variables were assessed using a multimodal strategy framework. Knowledge and adherence to IPC gaps using WHO guidelines were performed for each COVID-19-positive or suspected HCW. WHO rapid Scorecard dashboard was conducted for evaluating healthcare facilities (HCFs) performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of positive HCWs was 809 /35,898(2.2%) from the first to the third wave of COVID-19 among 6 provinces of DRC. The distribution of the HCWs infected by COVID-19 was predominated by nurses (42%), doctors (27%), biologists (8%), environmental health practitioners (5%), interns (3%), and other categories (15%). Other categories included nutritionists, physiotherapists, midwives, pharmacists, and paramedics. The investigation revealed that about 32% of HCWs were infected from household contacts, 11% were infected by HCFs, 35% were infected in the community and 22% were infected from unknown exposures. The mean score of IPC performance for all evaluated HCFs was 27/42(64%). This shows that IPC performance was moderate. Lower or minimal performance was noted in the implementation of the IPC program at the national and facility level, triage and screening, isolation handwashing and multimodal strategies of hand hygiene, PPE availability, and rationale, waste segregation, waste disposal, sterilization, and training of HCWs. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the prevalence of HCWs who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus was high among frontline healthcare workers from 6 provinces of DRC. A high prevalence of nosocomial infection was correlated with insufficient IPC adherence in the context of COVID-19. Strategies to strengthen IPC capacity building and provide HCWs with sufficient PPE stocks and budgets may improve IPC performance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This will further allow for adherence to WHO recommendations for successful program implementation to minimize COVID-19 transmission in HCFs, communities, and public gatherings. And this may be transferable to other infectious diseases.

Long-term effects of aromatase inhibitors on body mass index among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors in Africa: observational cohort study.

PURPOSE: this study was conducted to assess the impact of AIs on body mass index and high sensitivity as prognostic predictors to be incorporated into point of care technology (POCT) testing in postmenopausal breast cancer women after a 24 month follow up in Africa. An observational cohort study was conducted; including 126 female BC patients with stages ranging from 0-III initially subjected to AIs and subsequently followed up for 24 months. Multiple imputation model was conducted to predict missing data. RESULTS: Random effects model was used to monitor the changes over the time. The study revealed stronger statistically association between BMI and homocysteine (p = 0.021, 95%CI: 0.0083 to 0.1029). Weight and total body fat were strongly associated after 24 months follow up. Hs-CRP was associated with BMI (p = 0.0001), and hs-CRP was associated with other biomedical markers such as calcium (p = 0.021, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.10), phosphate (p = 0.039, 95%CI: 0.01 to 0.10), and ferritin (p = 0.002, 95%CI: 0.02 to 0.08) and calcium. The patients subjected to AIs are likely to develop cardiovascular adverse events. POCT of care strategy which include clinical, biomedical and genetic predictor's measurement is required to improve BC survivorship.

Impact of multimodal strategies including a pay for performance strategy in the improvement of infection prevention and control practices in healthcare facilities during an Ebola virus disease outbreak.

BACKGROUND: Strategy to mitigate various Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks are focusing on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) capacity building, supportive supervision and IPC supply donation. This study was conducted to assess the impact of a Pay for Performance Strategy (PPS) in improving IPC performance in healthcare facilities (HF) in context of the 2018-2019 Nord Kivu/ Democratic Republic of the Congo EVD outbreak. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted analysing the impact of a PPS on the IPC performance. HF were selected following the inclusion criteria upon informed consent from the facility manager and the National Department of Health. Initial and process assessment of IPC performance was conducted by integrating response teams using a validated IPC assessment tool for HF. A bundle of interventions was then implemented in the different HF including training of health workers, donation of IPC kits, supportive supervision during the implementation of IPC activities, and monetary reward. IPC practices in HF were assessment every two weeks during the intervention period to measure the impact. The IPC assessment tool had 34 questions aggregated in 8 different thematic areas: triage and isolation capacity, IPC committee in HF, hand hygiene, PPE, decontamination and sterilization, linen management, hospital environment and Waste management. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and analytical approaches according to assumptions. R software (version 4.0.3) was used for all the analyses and a p-value of 0.05 was considered as the threshold for statistically significant results. RESULTS: Among 69 HF involved in this study, 48 were private facilities and 21 state facilities. The median baseline IPC score was 44% (IQR: 21-65%); this IPC median score reached respectively after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks 68% (IQR: 59-76%), 79% (71-84%), 76% (68-85%) and 79% (74-85%). The improvement of IPC score was statistically significative. Spearman's rank-order correlation revealed the associated between proportion of trained HW and IPC score performance after 8 weeks of interventions (rs = .280, p-value = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Pay for Performance Strategy was proved effective in improving healthcare facilities capacity in infection prevention and control practice in context of 2018 EVD outbreak in Nord Kivu. However, the strategy for long-term sustainability of IPC needs further provision. More studies are warranted on the HW and patients' perceptions toward IPC program implementation in context of Nord Kivu Province.

Feasibility of point of care testing for prevention and management of breast cancer therapy associated comorbidities in 6 African countries: short communication.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and mediators of inflammation have been identified as the most important risk and predictive factors in postmenopausal breast cancer (BC) survivors using aromatase inhibitors (AIs). This study was conducted to assess the impact of point of care technology (PCOT) as part of pathology supported genetic testing (PSGT) to prevent BC therapy-associated comorbidities in African settings. RESULTS: The study revealed that high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and body mass index (BMI) are predictors of cardiovascular (CVD) related adverse events in obese postmenopausal patients subjected to AIs. There were statistically significant variations in total body fat (TBF), weight, hs-CRP, body mass index (BMI), homocysteine, ferritin, and calcium between baseline and after 24 months of follow-up. The above inflammatory markers can be incorporated in pathology supported genetic testing (PSGT) using HyBeacon® probe technology at POC for prediction and management of AI-associated adverse events among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors and associated comorbidities. The barriers for implementation of POCT application among six African countries for diagnosis of breast cancer were documented as insufficient of BC diagnosis and management capacity at different levels of health system.

Demographic, clinical, and anthropometric profiles and postoperative outcomes in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia: A prospective descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a complex disease caused by peripheral artery disease. It is associated with ischemic foot pain (rest pain) and tissue loss in the form of chronic nonhealing foot ulcers or gangrene. CLTI has a high short-term risk of limb amputations, postoperative sepsis, and cardiovascular-related events. AIMS: The present study was conducted to assess the demographic and anthropometric profile of patients with CLTI and their postoperative outcomes after 2-year follow-up at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: This prospective descriptive pilot study, nested in a prospective cohort study, included adult patients with CLTI admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2016. Demographic data, anthropometric markers of CLTI, and the postoperative outcomes were documented using piloted and pretested vascular questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for baseline data, and postoperative outcomes were presented using actuarial life-table method (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and P value < 0.05 were used to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (50.6%) patients had a BMI >25.0. The mean waist: hip ratio was 0.96. Prevalence of smoking was 86%. Limb salvage and ambulation at 1 year were 79% and 67%, respectively. Majority of the patients who were ambulant preoperatively remained ambulant postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Most patients had truncal obesity with a high prevalence of smoking. High postoperative ambulatory recovery among ambulant preoperative patients was a significant outcome observed in our study.

Newborn follow-up after discharge from a tertiary care hospital in the Western Cape region of South Africa: a prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Current practice in the Western Cape region of South Africa is to discharge newborns born in-hospital within 24 h following uncomplicated vaginal delivery and two days after caesarean section. Mothers are instructed to bring their newborn to a clinic after discharge for a health assessment. We sought to determine the rate of newborn follow-up visits and the potential barriers to timely follow-up. METHODS: Mother-newborn dyads at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa were enrolled from November 2014 to April 2015. Demographic data were obtained via questionnaire and medical records. Mothers were contacted one week after discharge to determine if they had brought their newborns for a follow-up visit, and if not, the barriers to follow-up. Factors associated with follow-up were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 972 newborns, 794 (82%) were seen at a clinic for a follow-up visit within one week of discharge. Mothers with a higher education level or whose newborns were less than 37 weeks were more likely to follow up. The follow-up rate did not differ based on hospital length of stay. Main reported barriers to follow-up included maternal illness, lack of money for transportation, and mother felt follow-up was unnecessary because newborn was healthy. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 4 in 5 newborns were seen at a clinic within one week after hospital discharge, in keeping with local practice guidelines. Further research on the outcomes of this population and those who fail to follow up is needed to determine the impact of postnatal healthcare policy.