Population Of Kinshasa Research Articles

Current exposure to environmental pollutants in the general adult population of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): A cross-sectional study

BackgroundEnvironmental pollution is a serious public health problem because of its adverse effects on both human health and biodiversity. In Western countries, many human biomonitoring (HBM) studies are conducted to assess population exposure to pollutants. In contrast, the number of HBM studies in Africa is very low. ObjectiveTo measure contamination by arsenic, lead, 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4′-DDE) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in the adult population of Kinshasa and to identify the susceptible population. MethodsIn the present work, we measured the contamination by arsenic in urine and lead in blood and by 4,4′-DDE and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in serum in samples collected from 151 volunteers recruited in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). ResultsThe PCBs 180, -153 and −138 were detected in most samples with median concentrations of 0.04, 0.05 and 0.04 ng/ml, respectively. The median concentration of 4,4′-DDE was 0.83 ng/ml and 12.7% of our population showed contamination above the threshold of 3.675 ng/ml, which is associated with a significantly higher risk of cancer. Arsenic concentrations were also high (median: 48.1 μg/L in urine). Finally, exposure to lead is problematic: the median blood concentration was 54.9 μg/L, which is above the thresholds proposed by the WHO and the US CDC (50 μg/L and 35 μg/L respectively) to initiate clinical intervention, and 12.6% of the population had a lead level above 100 μg/L, which is associated with several health outcomes. ConclusionsOur results highlight the need for further HBM studies in Africa and should encourage the authorities of the DRC to implement laws and regulations to reduce pollution and population exposure.

The Association of Alzheimer's Disease-Related Blood-Based Biomarkers with Cognitive Screening Test Performance in the Congolese Population in Kinshasa.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, poses a significant global burden. Diagnosis typically involves invasive and costly methods like neuroimaging or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker testing of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and amyloid-β42/40 (Aβ42/40). Such procedures are especially impractical in resource-constrained regions, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Blood-based biomarker testing may provide a more accessible screening opportunity. This study aims to examine if AD-related blood-based biomarkers are associated with cognitive test performance in the Congolese population, where limited research has been conducted. In this cross-sectional study of 81 Congolese individuals, cognitive assessments (Alzheimer's Questionnaire (AQ) and Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID)) distinguished dementia cases from controls. Blood draws were taken to assess p-tau 181 and Aβ42/40 biomarkers. Relationships between the biomarkers and cognitive performance were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Lower plasma Aβ42/40 was significantly associated with lower CSID scores and higher AQ scores, indicative of AD (p < 0.001). These relationships were observed in healthy controls (CSID p = 0.01, AQ p = 0.03), but not in dementia cases. However, p-tau 181 did not exhibit significant associations with either measure. Factors such as age, sex, education, presence of APOEɛ4 allele, did not alter these relationships. Understanding relationships between AD-related screening tests and blood biomarkers is a step towards utilization of blood-based biomarker tests as a screening tool for AD, especially in resource-limited regions. Further research should be conducted to evaluate blood biomarker test efficacy in larger samples and other populations.

Cadmium, manganese, mercury and lead in the general adult population of Kinshasa, DR Congo

Background and Aim. Many metals are of health concern due to their toxic proprieties and health impairments in the human body. To evaluate values for the internal exposure in the general population, the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), recommend the use of reference intervals (RIs) of metals as an indicator of the background exposures. This work aimed to derive RIs for Cd, Hg, Mn and Pb in the blood and urine of the adult population living in Kinshasa (n = 396, aged 18–70 years with 210 females). Methods. Levels of metals were measured using Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results. In blood, the proposed RIs [P5-P95 (GM)] were 0.089–2.365 µg/L (0.262), 41.41–199.20 µg/L (84.43), 0.100–1.964 µg/L (0.450) and 6.014–15.380 µg/L (9.394) for Cd, Pb, Hg and Mn, respectively. Urinary levels [(P5-P95 (GM)] were 0.142–1.430 µg/L (0.458) for Cd, 1.910–17.840 µg/L (5.424) for Pb, 0.349–2.295 µg/L (0.816) for Hg and 0.063–1.340 µg/L (0.188) for Mn. Conclusion. Except for Pb, levels of all metals were significantly lower than those found in the same city in 2012 and similar to databases involving non-occupationally exposed populations from other countries, probably due to exclusion criteria of metal exposure applying in the present survey (occupationally exposed to the studied metals, smoking habits, amalgam tooth fillings, fish consumption habit more than one time per week, etc.). These background metal exposures will be useful for future occupational and/or environmental surveys as well as undertaking a reliable regulation of chemical exposure in Kinshasa via a national HBM program.

Relationship Between The Determinants Of Economic Democracy And The Marketing Development Of Cassava In The City Province Of Kinshasa

The objective of this article is to analyze the relationship between the determinants of economic democracy and marketing development for a common consumer product in the City of Kinshasa, namely cassava. Through a methodology by a survey carried out among the Kinshasa population, i.e. a sample of 268 from 2020 to 2022. The results showed overall that there is a relationship between the determinant of economic democracy and marketing. However, this relationship based in a positive direction for the development of certain variables and negative for others. Indeed, we note that the quantity of cassava supplied per month is positively influenced by eating habits, as well as the low price policy and the purchasing unit. On the other hand, the daily bread consumption strategy in a household has no influence on the NICT innovation strategy.

Bio-surveillance of environmental pollutants in the population of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): a small pilot study

BackgroundEnvironmental pollutants are known to be ubiquitous and may present toxic effects (endocrine-disruption properties, carcinogenicity …) and represent a real threat to human health. The aim of the present pilot study was to assess the content of environmental pollutants (inorganic, persistent, and non-persistent pollutants) in biological samples (urine, serum, and whole blood), collected from volunteers in Kinshasa, capital of Democratic Republic of Congo, in order to identify pollutants of interest and to design a protocol for a larger scale study.MethodsFrom randomly selected 15 volunteers living in Kinshasa, aged from 25 to 66 years, (mean age = 43.4 years), including 10 men and 5 women, urine, whole blood, and serum samples were used in this study to estimate the contents in these environmental pollutants, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.ResultsWhen compared to data nationally and internationally available, the preliminary outcomes of this study indicated a very high level of exposure to environmental pollutants in the population of Kinshasa, especially for heavy metals, parabens and triclosan. To a lesser extent, contamination measured for glyphosate, phthalates, organochlorine pesticides, pyrethroids and dialkylphosphate pesticides was also significant. In contrast, the investigated population of Kinshasa was found to be weakly exposed to other persistent organic pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated flame retardants, phenolic organohalogens, and perfluoroalkyl substances.ConclusionAlthough the biologic fluids were collected from a limited number of volunteers (n = 15), the results of the present report clearly indicate that the population of Kinshasa is not spared by the investigated environmental pollutants. Moreover, this study gives us important information to design a larger scale study protocol.

The gap in contraceptive knowledge and use between the military and non-military populations of Kinshasa, DRC, 2016-2019.

The objective of this study is to assess change over time in the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (MCPR) and related variables among married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the military population in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, compared to women in the non-military population, based on cross-sectional surveys in 2016 and 2019. Data among women living in military camps were collected as a special study of contraceptive knowledge, use, and exposure to FP messaging, for comparison to women in the non-military population from the annual PMA2020 survey. Both used a two-stage cluster sampling design to randomly select participants. This analysis is limited to women married or in union. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to compare the military and non-military populations. The socio-demographic profile of women in the military camps differed between 2016 and 2019, which may reflect the more mobile nature of this population. In both populations, knowledge of modern contraceptive methods increased significantly. Similarly, use of a modern contraceptive method also increased significantly in both, though by 2019 women in the military camps were less likely to use modern contraception (24.9%) than their non-military counterparts (29.7%). Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in the amount of increase in MCPR for the two populations. Among contraceptive users in both populations, the implant was the leading method. Potential effects of FP programming were evident in the military population: exposure to FP messaging increased (in comparison to a decrease among the non-military population). Moreover, women who had lived in the camps for 4+ years had a higher MCPR than those living in the camps for less than four years. This study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of collecting data in military camps for better understanding contraceptive dynamics among this specialized population.

Covid-19 dans la ville de Kinshasa : Représentations sociales chez les fugitifs du confinement.

Upon the announcement of lockdown of Kinshasa (The capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo) due to increase cases of corona virus infections, a wave of fear and concern arose among the population of the city causing a massive population’s displacement towards neighboring provinces. This is to contextualize a phenomenological qualitative study exploring the social representation of COVID-19, the motivations influencing the shift of population and the discourses of the subjects on the care strategies, or “therapeutic artifacts” proposed by this population of Kinshasa. The analysis of 19 semi-structured interviews highlighted the presence of five categories of representations of COVID-19: imaginary disease, disease for businessmen, invention for demographic purposes, war between states and, divine punishment. In addition, four types of motivation have influenced the movement of the population: socioeconomic crisis, insecurity, ban of churches and, easy access to traditional treatment. This study finally shows that the fugitive population uses traditional therapies (herbalists and traditional beliefs, including prayers and sorcery) to cope with this pandemic. Improving knowledge, strengthening the communication system and interventions aimed at changing social representations causing negative images of COVID-19 are recommended.

High Prevalence of Anti-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (Anti-SARS-CoV-2) Antibodies After the First Wave of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Results of a Cross-sectional Household-Based Survey.

BackgroundIn October 2020, after the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), only 8290 confirmed cases were reported in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the real prevalence remains unknown. To guide public health policies, we aimed to describe the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the general population in Kinshasa.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, household-based serosurvey between 22 October 2020 and 8 November 2020. Participants were interviewed at home and tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins in a Luminex-based assay. A positive serology was defined as a sample that reacted with both SARS-CoV-2 proteins (100% sensitivity, 99.7% specificity). The overall weighted, age-standardized prevalence was estimated and the infection-to-case ratio was calculated to determine the proportion of undiagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infections.ResultsA total of 1233 participants from 292 households were included (mean age, 32.4 years; 764 [61.2%] women). The overall weighted, age-standardized SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 16.6% (95% CI: 14.0–19.5%). The estimated infection-to-case ratio was 292:1. Prevalence was higher among participants ≥40 years than among those <18 years (21.2% vs 14.9%, respectively; P < .05). It was also higher in participants who reported hospitalization than among those who did not (29.8% vs 16.0%, respectively; P < .05). However, differences were not significant in the multivariate model (P = .1).ConclusionsThe prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is much higher than the number of COVID-19 cases reported. These results justify the organization of a sequential series of serosurveys by public health authorities to adapt response measures to the dynamics of the pandemic.

Highdrug resistance levelscould compromisethe control of HIV infection in paediatric and adolescent population in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

BackgroundThe inadequacy of HIV viraemia and resistance monitoring in Africa leads to uncontrolled circulation of HIV strains with drug resistance mutations (DRM), compromising antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectiveness. This study describes the DRM prevalence and its therapeutic impact in HIV-infected pediatric patients from Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC).MethodsFrom 2016–2018, dried blood were collected from 71 HIV-infected children and adolescents under ART in two hospitals in Kinshasa for HIV-1 DRM pol analysis, predicted ARV-susceptibility by Stanford and phylogenetic characterization.ResultsHIV-1 sequences were recovered from 55 children/adolescents with 14 years of median-age. All had received nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI, NNRTI), 9.1% protease inhibitors (PI) and only one integrase inhibitor (INI). Despite the use of ART, 89.1% showed virological failure and 67.3% carried viruses with major-DRM to one (12.7%), two (47.3%), or three (5.5%) ARV-families. Most children/adolescents harbored DRM to NNRTI (73.5%) or NRTI (61.2%). Major-DRM to PI was present in 8.3% and minor-DRM to INI in 15%. Dual-class-NRTI+NNRTI resistance appeared in 53.1% of patients. Viruses presented high/intermediate resistance to nevirapine (72.9% patients), efavirenz (70.9%), emtricitabine/lamivudine (47.9%), rilpivirine (41.7%), etravirine (39.6%), doravidine (33.3%), zidovudine (22.9%), among others. Most participants were susceptible to INI and PI. Great diversity of variants was found, with a high rate (40%) of unique recombinants.ConclusionThe high DRM prevalence observed among HIV-infected children and adolescents in Kinshasa could compromise the 95-95-95-UNAIDS targets in the DRC. It also reinforces the need for routine resistance monitoring for optimal rescue therapy election in this vulnerable population to control the spread of resistant HIV in the country.

Assessing the Potential and Necessity for Kidney Transplantation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Assessing the Potential and Necessity for Kidney Transplantation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Potential Impact of Self-medication and Drug Misuse Practice Among Youth Population in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Self-medication refers to the act of medicating oneself with no guidance from a physician. There are sevral factors that promote self-medication along with drug misuse among the population. In the frame of developing countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), these factors include lack of enforcement of laws governing the pharmaceutical sector, poor mindset of the population as well as easy access to drugs without official medical prescriptions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which self-medication and drug misuse practices affect the youth Congolese population health in the DRC’s capital city, Kinshasa. Three sectors of Kinshasa were selected for a cross-sectional study conducted for five months (January to Mai 2020). Pharmacists or their auxiliairies were asked to draw up the list of ten drugs often purchased without medical prescriptions. In each of the selected pharmacies, 3 patients using self-medication were interviewed. A total of 120 phrarmacists or their auxiliairies and 360 patients (180 men and 180 women) were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Of the 120 questionnaires completed, a list of ten most used drugs in self-medication was established in the following dicreasing quantitative order: 106, 85, 83, 66, 66, 58, 51, 38, 29 and 23 pharmacists or their auxiliairies cited Amoxicillin capsule, Emergency Contraceptive Pill tablet, Paracetamol tablet, Dexamethasone tablet, Cyproheptadine tablet, Tetracyclin capsule, Levamisole tablet, Albendazole tablet, Quinine and Diclofenac injectables, respectively. Out of 360 questionnaires distributed, all medicines were administered by the route recommended by the physician except Dexamethasone tablet, Cyproheptadine tablet and Diclofenac injection where in 30.1%, 38.1% and 89.7% of self-medication cases the route of administration was other than the recommended route. From the recorded data, the age of most patients varied between 15-24 years old. Girls were more in self-medication than boys. Sometimes, the disease for which the drug was used, as well as the dosing, were found to be different from the instructions in patients’ leaflet. And lastly, for most patients, the main source of information was family and/or friends. This study demonstrated that the practice of self-medication is very widespread in Kinshasa, unfortunately even antibiotics are misused, exposing the population to high risk of antimicrobial resistance development. The present findings encourage further investigations at national level to better advise the dicision makers to take appropriate measures to substantially mitigate self-medication and drug misuse practices.

Increased HIV in Greater Kinshasa Urban Health Zones: Democratic Republic of Congo (2017\u20132018)

BackgroundDiagnosis of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is the first step toward achieving the new Fast Track Strategy to end AIDS by 2030: 95-95-95. However, reaching PLHIV is especially difficult in resource-limited settings such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where reliable prevalence data is lacking. This study evaluated the prevalence of HIV in patients in the urban Kinshasa area.MethodsIndividuals seeking healthcare were tested for HIV between February 2017 and July 2018 at existing Kinshasa urban clinics. The study was conducted in two phases. Case finding was optimized in a pilot study phase using a modified cell phone-based Open\\Data Kit (ODK) collection system. HIV prevalence was then determined from data obtained between March–July of 2018 from 8320 individuals over the age of 18 years receiving care at one of 47 clinics in Kinshasa.ResultsThe prevalence of HIV in our study was 11.0% (95% CI 10.3–11.6%) overall and 8.14% in the subset of N = 1240 participants who were healthy mothers seeking prenatal care. These results are in sharp contrast to President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) estimates of 2.86%, but are consistent with data from surrounding countries.ConclusionWhile this data is sub-national and reflects an urban healthcare setting, given the large population of Kinshasa and rapidly changing age demographics, the results suggest that HIV prevalence in the DRC is substantially higher than previously reported.

Factors of rabies maintenance in dog population in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Factors of rabies maintenance in dog population in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Epidemiologic analysis of dental cellulitis in Kinshasa city (the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Introduction: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, describe the sociodemographic profile of individuals with dental cellulitis, and identify its associated factors in a population of Kinshasa. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in October 2017 in five hospital departments in Kinshasa. The sample population consisted of patients with dental cellulitis. Sociodemographic data and factors associated with dental cellulitis were evaluated. Results: Dental cellulitis was found in 12.5% of the subjects, with a slight female predominance (58.2%). A significant difference between patients with cellulitis and those without cellulitis was observed for the following variables: education level, unemployment, and low socioeconomic status (p &lt; 0.05). Dental carious lesions (93.7%) were the most common causative factor, and self-medication (100%) and poor oral hygiene (83.5%) were risk or contributing factors. Univariate analysis showed that for people of ages 16–59 and ≥60 years, education level, unemployment, sugar consumption, and low socioeconomic status were significantly associated with dental cellulitis. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that people of ages ≥60 years [odds ratio (OR) 3.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.169–4.14, p = 0.014], non-university status (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.68–4.64, p &lt; 0.001), unemployment (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.73–4.20, p = 0.005), sugar consumption (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.71–4.94, p = 0.036), and low socioeconomic status (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.85–3.01, p = 0.014) were independently associated with dental cellulitis in the study population. Conclusion: Dental cellulitis is a public health problem in the city of Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Differences in family planning outcomes between military and general populations in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional analysis

ObjectivesTo examine family planning outcomes among women living in military camps in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and compare these outcomes with a representative sample of non-military women in...

Performance of glomerular filtration rate estimation equations in Congolese healthy adults: The inopportunity of the ethnic correction.

Context and objectiveIn the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), ethnicity is an important determinant. However, all existing equations have been built solely from Caucasian and Afro-American populations and they are potentially inaccurate for estimating GFR in African populations. We therefore evaluated the performance of different estimated GFR (eGFR) equations in predicting measured GFR (mGFR).MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 93 healthy adults were randomly selected in the general population of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, between June 2015 and April 2016. We compared mGFR by plasma clearance of iohexol with eGFR obtained with the Modified Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation with and without ethnic factor, the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) serum creatinine (SCr)-based equation, with and without ethnic factor, the cystatin C-based CKD-EPI equation (CKD-EPI SCys) and with the combined equation (CKD-EPI SCrCys) with and without ethnic factor. The performance of the equations was studied by calculating bias, precision and accuracy within 30% (P30) of mGFR.ResultsThere were 48 women and 45 men. Their mean age was 45.0±15.7 years and the average body surface area was 1.68±0.16m2. Mean mGFR was 92.0±17.2 mL/min/1.73m2 (range of 57 to 141 mL/min/1.73m2). Mean eGFRs with the different equations were 105.5±30.1 and 87.2±24.8 mL/min/1.73m2 for MDRD with and without ethnic factor, respectively; 108.8±24.1 and 94.3x20.9 mL/min/1.73m2 for CKD-EPI SCr with and without ethnic factor, respectively, 93.5±18.6 mL/min/1.73m2 for CKD-EPI SCys; 93.5±18.0 and 101±19.6 mL/min/ 1.73m2 for CKD-EPI SCrCys with and without ethnic factor, respectively. All equations slightly overestimated mGFR except MDRD without ethnic factor which underestimated by -3.8±23.0 mL/min /1.73m2. Both CKD-EPI SCr and MDRD with ethnic factors highly overestimated mGFR with a bias of 17.9±19.2 and 14.5±27.1 mL/min/1.73m2, respectively. There was a trend for better P30 for MDRD and CKD-EPI SCr without than with the ethnic factor [86.0% versus 79.6% for MDRD (p = 0.21) and 81.7% versus 73.1% for the CKD-EPI SCr equations (p = 0.057)]. CKD-EPI SCrCys and CKD-EPI SCys were more effective than creatinine-based equations.ConclusionIn the Congolese healthy population, MDRD and CKD-EPI equations without ethnic factors had better performance than the same equations with ethnic factor. The equations using Cys C (alone or combined with SCr) performed better than the creatinine-based equations.

Stroke characterization in Sun Saharan Africa: Congolese population

BackgroundStroke is the second cause of death worldwide and over than 80% of deaths occurs in developing countries. However, its characteristics in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are poorly defined. This study aimed to describe the key features of stroke in a hospital population of Kinshasa in DRC and to assess the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors and their impact on target organs. MethodsA descriptive study was carried out from three hospitals in Kinshasa between January and April 2013. Cardiovascular risk factors, clinical and biological data were collected during the study period. The study involved 166 patients aged 18years and over. ResultsThe mean age of patients was 59.6±12.3years, the sex ratio for male of 1.9. Stroke was ischemic in 66% of cases. Hypertension was the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor (84.3%), followed by high blood cholesterol (45.2%).The etiologies of ischemic stroke (TOAST classification) were dominated by lacunas (38.5%) and embolic heart diseases (12.8%). The origin was unknown in 45.9% of cases. Coma was observed in 37% of patients on admission and was the main independent prognostic factor of mortality, which was 19.3%. Left ventricular hypertrophy and renal failure were found respectively in 64.7% and 34% of patients. ConclusionThis study found a growing increase of ischemic stroke in a society where hemorrhagic type used to be the most common, a high rate of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, indicative of a fast epidemiological transition.

Model Supports Use of Fractional Dosing of Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever outbreak in Angola in 2015–2016 led WHO to recommend a dose-sparing strategy to protect more people in the face of insufficient yellow fever vaccine to cover all. For the population of Kinshasa of 12.5 million, who were also at risk, only about 2.5 million standard-dose vaccines were expected to be available. To assess whether a fractional-dosing strategy is likely to be effective, investigators have now used mathematical models …

The misuse of Cyproheptadine: a non-communicable disease risk behaviour in Kinshasa population, Democratic Republic of Congo.

BackgroundObesity is one of the main risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of Cyproheptadine increases body weight and the risk of becoming obese. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Cyproheptadine misuse in the Kinshasa population and to describe its characteristics.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in two town sectors of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), over a 4 month period (May 2011 to August 2011). Data from 499 participants, aged between 13 and 55 years were collected and analyzed. Mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative variables and frequency and percentage for categorical variables. In order to determine the relationship between socio-demographic status and Cyproheptadine use the Chi-square test was conducted. Student’s t-test was used to compare means age of Cyproheptadine users and non-users. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of Cyproheptadine use. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOverall, 499 participants were enrolled (352 females, 147 males, mean age ± standard deviation 24.9 ± 9.7 years) in the study. The majority of the study participants (72.9 %) had used Cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant. Females were 11 times more likely to use Cryproheptadine (OR = 11.9; 95 % CI: 7.1–20.1) than males. People aged between 36 and 55 were three times less likely to use Cryproheptadine (OR = 0.3; 95 % CI: 0.2–0.8) compared to teenagers. More than half of the participants (69.0 %) declared to take daily Cyproheptadine. Half of the study participants (50.0 %) used Cyproheptadine for more than a year and also declared to combine it with Dexamethasone (87.6 %).ConclusionThis study shows that the Kinshasa population is significantly misusing Cyproheptadine and is highly exposed to its risk, including obesity.

Internal Validation of Subjective Bayesian Model of The Occurrence of Alveolar Osteitis Cases, Generated by Expert in Kinshasa Hospital/DRC

Objective: To valid an Internal Model Subjective of Bayer by the case of alveolar osteitis generated by the Experts. Methods: The qualitative method was carried out under form of integration group, with had eight experts. The selection criteria of experts were to be a professor at the faculty of Dental medicine, a master's degree in oral surgery, dentistry, periodontology, prosthesis and to be dental doctor with more than 20 years of occupation. Elaboration of SBM was carried out by three steps such as determination of a prior probability of quotient (APRIQ), determination of the likelihood ratio (LHR) and Determination of a posteriori probability quotient (APPQ. And SBM was validated in three stages: determination of the agreement degree of intra and inter experts; of Cut off point (COP) and Internal validation. The agreement degree of intra and inter expert was determined by kappa statistics. Results: Seven risks factors such as F1=bad oral and dental hygiene, F2=Systemic diseases, F3=pre-existent infections, F4=Preoperative Infection, F5=lack of asepsis, F6=unexperienced practitioner and F7=post-operative infection was identified. A prior probability of quotient was 0.21. Likelihood ratio (LHR) of 7 independents factors are LHR=F1=3; F2=1.5; F3=4; F4=1.5; F5=1.3; F6=1.5 and F7=3 and LHR=F11=0.28; F2=0.25; F3=0.16; F4=0.4; F5=0.75; F6=0.33 and F7=0.14. Conclusion: The Poor oral hygiene LHR3; post-operative infections LHR3, preoperative infections LHR4, were the most important identified factors predictive of occurrence of AO in our 8 dental hospital of D. R. Congo/Kinshasa city. The corrected of these three factors can contribute to reduce the frequency of that pathology in Kinshasa population.