Knowledge, attitudes and practices of malaria control and prevention in a high-exposure occupational group: A cross-sectional survey of mining workers in Haut-Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Effects of insecticides and awareness on the dynamics of a delayed malaria model: A real-data calibration.

Transformative cohabitation: A new approach to artisanal and small-scale mining interventions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Terrorism, gold production, and economic development: Evidence from Colombia, Dem. Rep. Congo, Indonesia, Mali and Philippines

This study aims to examine the spatiotemporal structure of benthic macroinvertebrate populations in the Bibwa River in the city of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in order to evaluate the distribution of macrofauna taxa in this river in relation to abiotic variables. The research was conducted from June 2023 to January 2024, during which four sampling campaigns were carried out at five stations along this river (three replicates per station, sampled area of 0.09 m², mesh size 1 mm). To collect macroinvertebrates, a kick net was used. Physicochemical parameters were measured in situ using a multiparameter probe, followed by laboratory analysis for other parameters. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis), Spearman correlations, principal component analysis, and canonical correspondence analysis. The results obtained show a total of 317 benthic macroinvertebrate specimens inventoried, of which 204 were during the rainy season and 113 during the dry season, distributed into 3 classes (Insects, Mollusks, and Clitellates), 6 orders (Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera, Odonata, Gastropoda, and Haplotaxida), and 10 families (Hydrophilidae, Dytiscidae, Nepidae, Naucoridae, Chironomidae, Coenagrionidae, Libellulidae, Lymnaeidae, Lumbricidae and Tubificidae). No taxa from the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, or Trichoptera (EPT) were identified, which constitutes an indicator of ecological disturbance.Z Regarding the variation of the physicochemical parameters of the water, it is observed that the water of the Bibwa River is warm and has a temperature ranging from 24.7±0.24°C to 26.1±0.28°C. The concentration of ions in solution is low; conductivity ranges from 2.66±0.44 to 48.66±7.55 μS/cm, while turbidity ranges from 1.33±1.33 to 24.33±3.77 NTU. Low concentrations of nitrate (ranging from 2.88±0.17 to 4.18±0.46 mg/L) and phosphate (ranging from 0.25±0.01 to 0.4±0.01 mg/L) are noted. Statistical analyses reveal significant seasonal differentiation of communities (p = 0.008) and a major influence of conductivity (ρ = 0.89 with turbidity) and turbidity on taxon distribution. The Shannon diversity indices (1.5 to 2.0) and Piélou's Equitability (0.82 to 0.95) indicate moderate diversity and a favorable ecological condition, allowing macroinvertebrates, particularly pollution-sensitive families, to thrive in this ecosystem. The presence of Chironomidae and Tubificidae suggests moderate anthropogenic disturbance, requiring management measures.

In a context of energy transition and limited basic energy infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is relevant to conduct this study in order to encourage rural users to prioritize gravitational energy, where possible, to supply drinking water to communities facing water scarcity. This study, conducted in the Popokabaka territory in Kwango Province, aims to compare three water supply systems gravitational, hydraulic (Kaplan turbine), and thermal (diesel generator) over the period 2017 to 2025, in order to identify the most sustainable solutions for rural areas. The analysis is based on a comparative methodology integrating operating costs, standardized energy performance, and a SWOT evaluation, using data provided by technicians from user associations. For each category, a specific case was selected based on data availability, as some systems are no longer operational. The results show that the gravitational system, with a monthly cost of $144, stands out for its low environmental footprint and technical simplicity, making it the most viable option when topographical conditions are favorable. The hydraulic system represents a relevant alternative in steep areas, despite higher costs ($372/month) and greater complexity. In contrast, the thermal system appears economically and environmentally disadvantageous ($769.56/month), due to its dependence on fuel and greenhouse gas emissions. It is recommended to prioritize gravitational solutions whenever natural conditions permit and to integrate local water resources into territorial energy planning. Data availability constraints were observed, as the study was limited to Popokabaka, Kasongo-Lunda, and Kahemba. Further research is encouraged

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health challenge in DR Congo, triggering systemic inflammatory and hemostatic disruptions. This study aims to analyze variations in ferritin, INR, and D-dimers to understand the infection's impact on iron metabolism and blood coagulation. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the DeeService Medical Laboratory in Lubumbashi involving 60 participants: 30 GeneExpert-confirmed TB patients and 30 healthy controls. Ferritin and D-dimers were measured using quantitative immunofluorescence (Finecare™), while INR was determined via mechanical detection. Due to non-normal data distribution (Shapiro-Wilk, p < 0.05), the Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparisons. TB patients showed significantly higher levels compared to controls (p < 0.001) for all parameters: Ferritin (364.52±146.65 vs 111.36 ±39.97 µg/L), D-dimers (1078.25±867.60 vs 337.83±136.72 ng/mL), and INR (1.65±0.40 vs 0.76±0.093). A significant positive correlation was found between ferritin and D-dimers (r_s = 0.400; p = 0.014), reflecting a "thrombo-inflammatory" state. Active tuberculosis in Lubumbashi induces a profound hemostatic imbalance and hyperinflammation. Monitoring these biomarkers could improve clinical severity assessment and the prevention of thrombotic complications.

This article argues that many contemporary African crises should not be read as isolated failures of governance, ethnicity, migration management, or peacebuilding. They are better understood as recurrent expressions of a broader anti-sovereignty mechanism in which colonial injury is softened or selectively remembered, legitimate grievance is redirected inward, local relay actors police acceptable diagnosis, and external powers or aligned interests regain leverage over fractured political space. The article develops a mid-range mechanism theory called the Fracture-Buffer-Capture model and applies it through a comparative historical analysis of South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. South Africa is treated as a paradigmatic case of redirected grievance under conditions of selective reconciliation, durable inequality, and recurring xenophobic mobilization. The DRC is treated as a paradigmatic case of capture under conditions of proxy war, strategic mineral competition, peace-coded political discipline, and civic narrowing. The core claim is not that every conflict is centrally engineered by the same hands. It is that similar actor-types, discursive moves, incentive structures, and political outcomes recur often enough to justify a unified framework and a continental anti-capture response. The article adopts an assume-compromise, zero-trust perspective: hostile shaping, fragmentation, and strategic interference are treated as standing risk conditions to be assessed through motive, capability, precedent, synchronized indicators, and patterned benefit rather than through self-reporting by the actors involved. The article concludes that Africa requires a Pan-African anti-capture architecture able to defend historical clarity, detect redirected grievance, map buffer actors, correlate conflict with extractive and diplomatic pressures, and train public pattern recognition before crisis hardens into governable fracture. [1-4] A superficial reading would interpret the assume-compromise posture as making external parties the architects of every situation described here. This reading is inaccurate: a hostile party does not need to initiate every single disruption. It suffices that they engineer and sustain a system that will be more likely to promote capture and manageable chaos where opportunistic intervention and targeted incitement are less costly for the hostile party and locally aligned interest groups than successful redress by the target society.

Forecasting macro- and microeconomic trends is especially difficult in data-scarce settings such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Standard deep learning models, LSTMs, temporal CNNs, and Transformers typically require clean, synchronized time-series data and extensive GPU training. Yet, they offer limited transparency to central bank analysts and policymakers. We propose dCNN-E(ASP), a fully analytical neuro-symbolic framework that combines a binary Cellular Neural Network reservoir with a self-growing Answer Set Programming rulebook. Training requires only two closed-form matrix inversions, enabling realtime inference on a $30 Raspberry Pi and robustness to missing or noisy data. Across three Congolese applications, headline inflation, hydropower grid balancing, and cross-border copper flows retrospective backtests achieve 12–20% lower MAPE than tuned benchmarks. The method also provides clause-level explanations (e.g., a fuel-price shock within 14 days triggers a maize-price surge) and includes tutorial prose and pseudocode for easy local replication without GPUs.

Introduction Forced displacement in Kalehe Territory (South Kivu, DR Congo), driven by armed conflicts, floods, landslides, and climate change, severely disrupts land access and tenure security. The coexistence of customary and state land systems (legal dualism) creates persistent uncertainty, while existing studies inadequately address how internally displaced persons (IDPs) navigate land acquisition amid prolonged settlement and elite influence. Objective This study explores how IDPs access and secure land under such legal pluralism, and how displacement reshapes land competition and power dynamics between IDPs, host communities, customary authorities, and local elites. Methods Using an inductive approach, it explores how internally displaced persons (IDPs) negotiate access to land in an environment marked by overlapping customary and state land tenure regimes, demographic pressure and ethno-cultural diversity. Results The study reveals that land security for IDPs depends on economic strategies, customary mechanisms such as marriage alliances, and the intervention of local elites and administrative authorities, while being constantly limited by identity tensions and institutional constraints. Conclusion This research fills gaps in our understanding of local land dynamics and provides a basis for reforming land governance in contexts of protracted displacement. It also highlights the urgent need for inclusive land governance to prevent conflicts and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities.

Sepsis remains a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) mortality globally, with the highest burden observed in low- and middle-income countries where diagnostic capacity, timely referral, and access to organ support are limited. However, commonly used prognostic tools rely on laboratory and monitoring resources that are often unavailable in such settings. This study aimed to identify independent predictors of ICU mortality among adults with sepsis in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to develop a context-adapted prognostic score suitable for resource-constrained environments. We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study across three ICUs between January 2021 and April 2023. Adults meeting Sepsis-3 criteria were consecutively enrolled. Clinical status, basic laboratory parameters, therapeutic timing, and socioeconomic characteristics were recorded within 24h of ICU admission. Independent predictors of 28-day mortality were identified using multivariable logistic regression. A simplified point-based prognostic model (SPARS-Basique) was constructed and evaluated for discrimination (AUROC) and calibration, with internal validation using bootstrap resampling (1000 iterations). The outcome of interest was 28-day ICU mortality. A total of 136 patients were included (median age 48years). ICU mortality was 78%, with most deaths occurring within the first 5 days of admission. Nine variables independently predicted mortality: age ≥ 60years, low socioeconomic status, absence of health insurance, delay > 5days before ICU admission, Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 10, SpO2 < 90%, shock index ≥ 0.9, serum creatinine ≥ 3mg/dL, and blood glucose ≥ 8mmol/L. These variables formed the SPARS-Basique score (0-18 points). The model demonstrated strong discrimination (AUROC 0.89; bootstrap-corrected AUROC 0.87) and good calibration. Observed mortality increased across risk groups: 21% (score 0-5), 64% (6-9), and 91% (≥10). Sepsis mortality in Lubumbashi ICUs remains high and is influenced by both biological severity and structural barriers to timely care. The SPARS-Basique score demonstrated good internal performance for early risk stratification of ICU mortality in this cohort. However, as this was an exploratory derivation study in a modest sample, external validation in larger, independent cohorts is required before broader clinical application can be considered.

The Where of Mineral Names: Kipushite, Kipushi, Kipushi Territory, Haut-Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo

Assessment of community knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to schistosomiasis in a hyper-endemic region of the Democratic Republic of Congo: mixed methods.

This study analyzes the competitive dynamics between Equity Group Holdings and KBC Group (Kredietbank Boerenbond Cera) across the banking sectors of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania, and Uganda over the period 2023–2025. Using a comparative case study methodology, the research evaluates market dominance based on profitability, asset distribution, and operational scale. The findings reveal that Equity Group Holdings achieved strong regional growth, with subsidiary profit increases of approximately 22% in the DRC, 75% in Tanzania, and 40–61% in Uganda. The DRC accounted for nearly 43.5% of total regional assets, confirming its strategic importance. Operational indicators further show that Equity leads in financial inclusion, with over 2.7 million customer accounts and more than 23,000 agents in the DRC alone. Profitability ratios indicate strong efficiency, with Return on Assets (ROA) reaching up to 4.0% and Net Interest Margins peaking at 9.1% in Uganda. In contrast, KBC Group maintains a stable but less expansive presence, focusing primarily on corporate banking and high-value clients. The study concludes that digital transformation and regional diversification have enabled Equity Group to achieve greater dominance in retail banking, while KBC retains competitiveness in corporate financial services. These results highlight the growing importance of inclusive and technology-driven banking models in emerging African markets.

Empirical and theoretical studies suggest that access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) goes beyond supporting development objectives and plays a significant role in enhancing subjective well-being. However, the existing literature has largely concentrated on developed economies or specific population groups, leaving limited evidence on how ICTs affect men’s well-being in fragile and low-income settings. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining the relationship between ICT access and subjective well-being among men in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a context characterized by structural constraints, socio-economic vulnerability, and persistent inequalities. Using a representative sample of 6,161 men drawn from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-Palu 2018), logistic regression models are employed to assess the associations between ICT access and self-reported life satisfaction and happiness. The results indicate that ICT access positively influences men’s subjective well-being, with heterogeneous effects across technologies: computer use consistently improves life satisfaction, while Internet access alone shows weaker and occasionally ambiguous effects. Moreover, health status, social integration, and protection against ethnic discrimination emerge as critical determinants of well-being, suggesting that the impact of ICTs is shaped by broader socio-economic and psychosocial conditions. These findings highlight the importance of policies promoting digital inclusion, computer literacy, and productive ICT use, alongside efforts to strengthen health systems and social cohesion. By providing gender-disaggregated evidence from the Congolese context, this study contributes to the literature on ICTs and subjective well-being and offers policy-relevant insights for improving men’s quality of life through technology.

Prevalence estimates of sickle cell disease among children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and modelling analysis.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is endowed with vast mineral resources, particularly in its southern provinces of Lualaba and Haut‑Katanga, which host some of the world’s largest deposits of cobalt and copper. Despite this mineral wealth, communities living in mining‑affected areas continue to experience persistent poverty, environmental degradation, and social marginalization. This study examined the impact of the mining industry on the socio-economic well-being of local populations in southern DRC, focusing on economic livelihoods, social and cultural conditions, and health and environmental outcomes. The study adopted an interpretivist research paradigm and a qualitative‑dominant mixed‑methods design. Primary data were collected from 144 respondents through in‑depth interviews, focus group discussions, and field observation across Kolwezi, Likasi, and Lubumbashi. Quantitative descriptive and inferential analyses were used to complement qualitative findings. Results indicate that mining proximity is strongly associated with negative welfare outcomes, including reduced income adequacy, food insecurity, weakened social cohesion, environmental contamination, and adverse health indicators. Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships between mining proximity and heavy metal exposure (r = 0.82, p &lt; 0.001) and between contamination and respiratory illness (r = 0.79, p &lt; 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that mining proximity, environmental contamination, land displacement, governance deficit, and gender vulnerability jointly explained 68 percent of the variation in community well-being. The study concludes that mining‑related harm in southern DRC is structurally generated and reinforced by weak governance frameworks. It recommends strengthened regulatory enforcement, mandatory community participation, gender‑responsive policies, and transparent revenue‑sharing mechanisms.

The genus Ephysteris in the Afrotropical region is revised. Eighteen species are recognized as valid, six of which are described as new: E. crypticus sp. nov. (Kenya), E. afrorientellus sp. nov. (Kenya, Ethiopia), E. minutus sp. nov. (South Africa, Namibia), E. griseellus sp. nov. (South Africa), E. permanus sp. nov. (South Africa), E. jansei sp. nov. (South Africa). Additionally, the following new synonymies are established: Microcraspedus brachypogon (Meyrick, 1937) and Gnorimoschema infirma Meyrick, 1912, both syn. nov. of Ephysteris sirota (Meyrick, 1908); Scrobipalpa sibila (Meyrick, 1921) syn. nov. of Ephysteris cretigena (Meyrick, 1914); Ephysteris parasynecta Janse, 1963 syn. nov. of Neotelphusa anisogrisea Janse, 1958; Ephysteris fuscocrossa Janse, 1961 syn. nov. of Sitotroga psacasta (Meyrick, 1908); Ephysteris neosirota (Janse, 1950) syn. nov. of Ephysteris obstans (Meyrick, 1928) comb. nov. (Scythris). Moreover, Ephysteris photinopa (Meyrick, 1920) is combined to Photodotis Meyrick, 1911: Photodotis photinopa (Meyrick, 1920) comb. nov. Beside these taxonomic changes, Ephysteris promptella is recorded for the first time from DR Congo, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles; E. arabiae is new for Yemen; E. sirota is new for Kenya, E. iberica is new for South Africa and Kenya, and E. leptocentra is new for Zambia. Lectotypes are designated for Phthorimaea sibila Meyrick, 1921 and Gnorimoschema infirma Meyrick, 1912. All species are diagnosed, and genitalia are redescribed based on additional material. Identification keys and photographs of adults and genitalia are provided.

Child labor remains a global challenge with devastating effects on children, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest prevalence of the practice. Unfortunately, efforts to curb this problem in the region have yielded few results. This study used a binary logistic regression model to examine the effect of child attributes and household socioeconomic characteristics on child labor outcomes in some selected sub-Saharan African countries, using interaction terms to explain the conditional relationship among correlates. To achieve this objective, the study used data from the UNICEF Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey Round 6 (2017–2021) across 10 sub-Saharan African countries: Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, DR Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Sao Tome and Principe, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, and Chad. The result revealed, contrary to mainstream ideas, that child’s educational attainment up to secondary education increases child labor by 2.2% in the selected sub-Saharan African countries while increase in child’s age increases child labor by 3.5%. Household size was also observed to increase child labor by 0.2% but increasing mother’s education to at least primary level and higher wealth status reduced child labor by 1.1% and 4.7% respectively. Even though the marginal effect of the interactions could not be determined, the logistic regression result revealed that the interaction of age with gender and maternal education with poverty are significant in influencing child labor. This study recommended the promotion of girl-child education, implementation of poverty eradication programs and policies, promotion of population control measures, and the introduction of child protection as a subject of study in schools to drive behavioral and social changes.

In 2018, malaria remained a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 44% of all outpatient visits and 22% of deaths. This led to the development of the strategic plan for 2020-2023. To meet the objectives of this renewed plan, a monitoring and evaluation program focusing on performance indicators was established. This study aimed to assess the malaria control performance indicators in Kinshasa. A descriptive cross-sectional study used the National Malaria Control Program dataset of the period 2020-2023 to analyze malaria data from 23 HZ (Health Zone) in Kinshasa. Diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive use of LLINs (long-lasting insecticidal nets) and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamin-based IPT (intermittent preventive treatment among pregnant women) indicators were evaluated following the targeted thresholds established in the strategic plan for 2020-2023. Malaria was present in all studied HZ from 2020 to 2023, with a heterogeneous distribution. The malaria incidence during the study period was 30%, with an upward trend in both suspected and confirmed cases, peaking in 2022 and showing no further fluctuations thereafter. The proportion of LLINs distributed to pregnant women during antenatal care visits was 62%, 61%, 45%, and 88% in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. A total of 83.1% of suspected malaria cases were diagnosed using RDT (Rapid Diagnosis Test), and confirmed malaria cases received antimalarial treatment. The objectives of the 2020-2023 strategic plan were only partially achieved, and no HZ reached 100% diagnosis by RDT, with only four HZs reaching at least 95% of the target. Thirty-four HZs were able to benefit from 95% treatment with antimalarial drugs.