Republic Of Congo Research Articles

Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in adults in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A hospital cross-sectional study

Introduction: Hypertension is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease worldwide. Knowledge of its prevalence and associated factors helps to prevent its complications. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in hospitals in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among 520 adults from February 6 to November 30, 2023 in 2 health facilities in the city of Lubumbashi (Afia Polyclinic - Don Bosco and Jason Sendwe Provincial General Reference Hospital). Participants were selected by systematic random sampling. Hypertension was defined when the subject had a blood pressure (BP) ≥ 135/85 mmHg on diurnal Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) or ≥ 180/110 mmHg on clinic oscillometric BP measurement (OBPM), or when he/she had self-reported hypertension and/or was taking antihypertensive medication even if diurnal ABPM was normal. Factors associated with hypertension were determined using a logistic regression model at the 5% significance level.Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 32.8% (95% CI: 28.9%-37.0%). Factors significantly associated with hypertension included age ≥50 years (AOR = 4.0 [1.2-12.7]), dyslipidemia (AOR = 18.6 [3.2-107.4]), hypercalcemia (AOR = 171.6 [32.5-905.9]), hyperkalemia (AOR = 27.6 [7.1-107.8]), and hypernatremia (AOR = 948.1 [160.0-5619.3]).Conclusion: This study reveals the high hospital prevalence of hypertension and the factors associated with it, emphasizing the necessity for targeted interventions for at-risk populations, especially the elderly and those with electrolyte imbalances.

Predictors and Outcomes of Work-family Conflict among Nurses in Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Work-family conflict, an important issue in nursing management, has been widely studied around the world. Over the past 20 years, many hospitals and care institutions have been faced with an increasing demand for healthcare due to an ageing population. The purpose of this study is to to determine the prevalence and factors Associate with the occurrence of WFC among nurses in the town of Mbujimayi. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 9 referral hospitals in the town of Mbuji-Mayi. Data were collected using a questionnaire, including items related to nurses’ demographic characteristics, the WFC questionnaire. Our study indicates that the prevalence of work-family conflict among nurses was 49.8%. Nurses’ age [ORa: 12.13(1.54-2.93)], marital status [ORa: 1.54(1.15-2.07)], hospital categories[ORa:1.59(1.15-2.21)], work experience in years [ORa: 3.20(2.16-4.75)], occupancy status[ORa: 1.38(1.03-1.85)] and having an additional activity[ORa: 1.38[1.03-1.85]) predicted work–family conflict. Given the extent of work-life conflict among nurses and its negative repercussions on both their health and the quality of their care, preventive measures aimed at improving the work-life balance should be introduced in the care environment.

Deployment of A Data Consolidation System in an Aeronautical Administration: Application to the Rva/City of Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo

This article examines the specific challenges encountered by the aeronautical administration of the Airway Authority of the City of Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the management and consolidation of its aeronautical data, as well as possible solutions to remedy them. We present the different stages of the system deployment process, highlighting the technical, organizational and operational aspects to consider. Finally, the study provides an analysis of the results obtained after the implementation of the data consolidation system, highlighting the benefits and possible remaining challenges.

Assessing Digital Solutions Adoption in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in DRC

Purpose: This study assesses the adoption of digital solutions in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Methodology: A Kobocollect survey was conducted in 13 cities across the DRC over a one-month period, collecting data from 459 SMEs. The sample comprised 18.53% of individual SMEs led by women, 60.13% owned by men, and 21.35% led by associations. Findings: The results show that only 15.03% of respondents consider ICT and digitization to be a new topic, while 75.16% of companies' systems are not digitized. However, 68.85% of respondents are willing to integrate new technology into their business control systems by digitizing their accounting systems, with no significant difference observed across income ranges (p-value=0.107). Digital literacy of users is identified as a key factor influencing the adoption of digital solutions, which is facilitated by adapted solutions that meet SMEs' specific needs. Capacity building and system trustworthiness are also found to be important factors influencing adoption. Furthermore, belonging to a specific income range is found to influence the adoption of daily reporting systems and market pricing (p-value=0.107 and p-value=0.06363, respectively). Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study highlights the importance of investing in SME digitization and the need for adapted solutions that meet management needs and price qualifications.

Critical Analysis of Sustainable Mining Practices in The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Critical Analysis of Sustainable Mining Practices in The Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Challenges of Conflict Transformation, Peacebuilding and Education Towards Intractable Conflicts: The Youth Involvement in North-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Peacebuilding and transformation are essential in creating a peaceful environment, in responding to conflicts and in promoting good relationships for social harmony. This paper establishes the challenges to transformation and peacebuilding in dealing with conflicts and violence among young people as it explores the strategies for conflict transformation and peacebuilding in North Kivu province. It looks at how these tools can help the youths and the communities to break away from violence and work towards peace. The study is based on the systems theory in general and confict transformation in particular how to train young generations to get out of conflicts and violence in order to preapre a bright future. Thus, the paper triangulates the systems theory, transformation, peacebuilding and the intergroup contact. From the participatory action research design, the paper provides resources in the struggle against intractable conflicts and subsequent violence for peacemaking. The paper establishes ubuntu as a starting point for conflict transformation, peacebuilding and in restoring peace and peaceful cohabitation among the youth in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The future of neurosurgery in the democratic republic of congo: challenges and opportunities for early carrier researchers.

The future of neurosurgery in the democratic republic of congo: challenges and opportunities for early carrier researchers.

Abortion Incidence among Young Women in Urban Slums and Non-Slums in Kinshasa, DR Congo.

Worldwide, around 73 million induced abortions take place every year. Of these, 45% are unsafe and can lead to complications. The evolution of the legal and practical landscape of abortion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the last few years necessitates a re-examination of the experience of induced abortion, leading this study to measure the incidence of abortion among young women (15 to 29 years of age), as well as the heterogeneity of this problem according to the residence of these young women (slum vs. non-slum areas). We used representative survey data on women aged 15-49 in Kinshasa, collected from December 2021 to April 2022. The survey included questions about the respondents' and their closest confidants' experience of induced abortion, including the methods and sources used. We estimated abortion incidence and heterogeneity over one year based on residence in the city of Kinshasa according to sociodemographic characteristics. The fully adjusted one-year friend abortion rate in 2021 was 131.5 per 1000 (95% CI: IQR 99.4-163.6). These rates were significantly higher than the corresponding estimates of respondents. The incidence of induced abortion for respondents was 24.4 per 1000 (95% CI: 15.8-32.9) abortions per 1000 women. The incidence rates of induced abortion were much higher among the respondents residing in slums than among those residing in non-slums (29.2 vs. 13.0 per 1000; p < 0.001). Slum respondents indicated higher use of non-recommended methods than non-slum respondents. More precise estimates of the incidence of abortion indicate that the incidence rate of abortion was higher among young women residing in slums who were unmarried and had no children. These incidences were higher among confidants than among respondents. There is still a lot of work to be done to fulfill the obligations outlined in the Maputo Protocol. The aim is to decrease the occurrence of unsafe abortions and their associated effects.

Effectiveness of rVSV-ZEBOV vaccination during the 2018-20 Ebola virus disease epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a retrospective test-negative study.

The recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-Zaire Ebola virus (rVSV-ZEBOV) vaccine is the only WHO prequalified vaccine recommended for use to respond to outbreaks of Ebola virus (species Zaire ebolavirus) by WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. Despite the vaccine's widespread use during several outbreaks, no real-world effectiveness estimates are currently available in the literature. We conducted a retrospective test-negative analysis to estimate effectiveness of rVSV-ZEBOV vaccination against Ebola virus disease during the 2018-20 epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, using data on suspected Ebola virus disease cases collected from Ebola treatment centres. Those eligible for inclusion had an available Ebola virus RT-PCR result, available key data, were eligible for vaccination during the outbreak, and had symptom onset aligning with the period in which a ring-vaccination protocol was in use. After imputing missing data, each individual confirmed by RT-PCR to be Ebola virus disease-positive (defined as a case) was matched to one individual negative for Ebola virus disease (control) by sex, age, health zone, and month of symptom onset. Effectiveness was estimated from the odds ratio of being vaccinated (≥10 days before symptom onset) versus being unvaccinated among cases and controls, after adjusting for the matching factors. The imputation, matching and effectiveness estimation, was repeated 500 times. 1273 (4·8%) of 26 438 eligible individuals were positive for Ebola virus disease (cases) and 25 165 (95·2%) were negative (controls). 40 (3·1%) cases and 1271 (5·1%) controls were reported as being vaccinated at least 10 days before symptom onset. After selecting individuals who reported exposure to an individual with Ebola virus disease within the 21 days before symptom onset and matching, the analysis datasets comprised a median of 309 cases and 309 controls. 10 days or more after vaccination, the effectiveness of rVSV-ZEBOV against Ebola virus disease was estimated to be 84% (95% credible interval 70-92). This analysis is the first to provide estimates of the real-world effectiveness of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine against Ebola virus disease, amid the widespread use of the vaccine during a large Ebola virus disease outbreak. Our findings confirm that rVSV-ZEBOV is highly protective against Ebola virus disease and support its use during outbreaks, even in challenging contexts such as in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Médecins Sans Frontières. For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

National burden of Ebola virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo: the urgency to act.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) has long been a major public health concern for Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). First identified in DR Congo in 1976, the country has witnessed more than 25 outbreaks of this deadly disease, which has a case fatality rate of nearly 90% and manifesting with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, stomachache and haemorrhagic fever. African fruit bats have been speculated to be the reservoir of this virus. DR Congo is currently facing another EVD outbreak simultaneously with other communicable diseases, rendering it vulnerable to a shortage of medical and paramedical staff along with distrust among remote communities towards local authorities due to armed conflict and political instability. Moreover, lack of ring vaccinations and inefficient surveillance of suspected individuals are some other significant hurdles in disease control. Despite the availability of rVSV-ZEBOV/Erbevo vaccine and many antibody-based vaccines, challenges including politicization, low access to remote communities, and illiteracy have limited their effectiveness. Recently, the Congolese govt. has put in efforts such as building local capacities at the health zone level, outbreak control intervention, community engagement and social mobilization to counter the rising EVD cases. Four successive Strategic Response Plans have been implemented to increase resource mobilization by DR Congo and her partners. The Spread of zoonotics such as EVD can be confronted by implementing the One Health approach, which involves medical staff, veterinarians and public health officials.

Spatiotemporal Modeling of Cholera, Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2016-2020.

We evaluated the spatiotemporal clustering of rapid diagnostic test-positive cholera cases in Uvira, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We detected spatiotemporal clusters that consistently overlapped with major rivers, and we outlined the extent of zones of increased risk that are compatible with the radii currently used for targeted interventions.

Visitation patterns of endangered grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) in a forest clearing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), once abundant, has become increasingly threatened due to the combined effects of capture for the global pet trade and habitat loss. Although grey parrots are well studied in captivity, effective conservation efforts require a better understanding of their ecological requirements in the wild. The aim of this paper is to quantify grey parrot behaviours across the annual cycle. To do that, we studied groups of grey parrots gathering in a natural forest clearing in the Nkuba Conservation Area, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Using parrot counts and focal sampling, combined with descriptive statistics, we found that an average of 40 grey parrots visited the clearing each day, following a regular pattern in which they first perched in the trees surrounding the clearing, vocalizing loudly, until the group landed in the clearing to feed, drink and interact with each other. Generalized linear models (GLMs) and generalized additive models (GAMs) showed that the time at which parrots arrived, landed at, and left clearings was influenced by the weather, seasonality and the month of the year. We also found that parrots shortened their visits when disturbed by predators or the presence of humans. Although the underlying mechanisms for grey parrot visits to forest clearings remains unclear, the consistency of this behaviour observed elsewhere in Africa and the feeding observed in the clearing in this study suggest that these area support important foraging habitat for the wild grey parrots. Therefore, ensuring the availability of such clearings is paramount to the long-term survival of the species. We suggest that future efforts to protect grey parrots in their native habitats focus on identifying clearings visited by parrots, monitoring these clearings and allowing parrots to visit them without disturbance or risk of capture.

“Occupational exposure to charcoal smoke and dust, a major risk factor for COPD: a multiregional cross-sectional study in the Democratic Republic of Congo”

Occupational exposure to charcoal smoke and dust is a threat to workers respiratory system. What is the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in charcoal workers as compared to farmers in rural areas of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)? This cross-sectional, comparative, and multi-site study was performed in the charcoal-producing provinces of South-Western DRC. We randomly included charcoal workers and compared them to farmers (18 to 70 years old). Air quality indexes, anthropometric, physical activity, sociodemographic characteristics, and related medical events data were recorded. A Lung function questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms (RS) and spirometry was performed. COPD was defined as the presence of RS for more than 3 months with a FEV1/FVC ratio below the lower limit of normal. The prevalence of COPD was calculated, and logistic regression was used to identify COPD-associated factors. We included 485 subjects between August 2020 and July 2021. Charcoal Producers (CP, n = 229) were compared with farmers (n = 118), and charcoal saleswomen (CS, n = 72) were compared to vegetable saleswomen (VS, n = 66). Respective groups were similar in age, job seniority, height, and weight. The air was more polluted at charcoal workplaces. The prevalence of COPD was higher in CP than in farmers (39.7% vs 14.4%; P < 0.0001), and in CS compared to VS (40.3% vs 13.6%; P < 0.0001). Being a charcoal worker was independently associated with COPD in the CP and farmers group: adjusted OR, 3.54 (95% CI, 1.94-6.46), and, in the saleswomen group: 7.85 (95% CI, 2.85-21.5), where it was also independently associated with young age: 0.85 (0.80-0.93) and monthly income: 0.88 (0.83-0.96). In rural areas of DRC, producing or selling charcoal is associated with a higher risk of COPD.

A call for action to stop sexual violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A brief report.

A call for action to stop sexual violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A brief report.

An Assessment of the Rebel Recruitment Strategies used by the M23 Rebel Group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2012-2022

An Assessment of the Rebel Recruitment Strategies used by the M23 Rebel Group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2012-2022

Critical metals: Their applications with emphasis on the clean energy transition

The global demand for metallic mineral resources has been rising constantly not only due to the world's continued population growth, but also accelerated by the recently proclaimed 'green energy transition' aiming to replace fossil fuels by wind, solar, hydrogen, and geothermal energy. The current situation causes a dilemma as the supply of metallic mineral resources is limited and, at least when this article was written, most critical metals neither can be substituted nor recycled economically and at industrial scale. As a consequence, metallic mineral resources must be considered as non‐renewable commodities.This study documents the main industrial applications and supply risks of the critical metals with special emphasis on their respective roles for the green (also referred to by the media as clean or renewable) energy transition. In summary, the natural distribution of critical metals in the Earth's upper crust is very heterogeneous and, at current consumption rates, will likely lead to supply risks in the near future. More specifically, >40 vol% of the global reserves of critical metals, such as chromium, palladium, and platinum (South Africa), cobalt (Democratic Republic of Congo), cadmium, indium, rare earth elements, and tungsten (China), are concentrated in only a single country with obvious geopolitical and strategic implications. Importantly, most of these strategic metals, apart from chromium, are considered crucial for the success of the green energy transition.

Understanding the Compound Risk Context of Goma City Through the Pressure and Release Model

Goma, the capital of the North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a transborder and conflict-affected city that is also chronically vulnerable to volcanic eruptions. Using the extended version of the Pressure and Release model, this study examines Goma’s progressive vulnerability over the course of three volcanic disasters—the eruptions of Mount Nyiragongo in 1977, 2002, and 2021. We find that the rich natural resources and weak governance are the root causes of Goma’s chronic vulnerability to volcanic eruptions. In the first phase (1977–2002), an influx of ethnic groups seeking land as well as conflicts between them and natives over the land and natural resources can be regarded as dynamic pressure, generating unsafe conditions. In the second phase (2002–2021), the conflict added a global dimension, with the influx of global businesses and humanitarian organizations increasing the population pressure. It caused a gentrification process, in which the urban poor were pushed out to the marginal area of the city, which resulted in significant damage from the 2021 eruption. We find that globalization produces two opposing forces in the increased vulnerability; it accelerated economic prosperity in the region, on the one hand, but also caused a rapid population increase and increased progression, on the other.

Water, Sanitation, Waste Management, and Professional Activities in Relation to Diseases with Neighboring Citizens of Congo Rivers in the Brazzaville Agglomeration (Republic of Congo)

Situated on the right bank of the Pool Malébo, in the Congo River basin, the city of Brazzaville is rich in potential water resources. These resources are polluted by human practices that deteriorate the quality of the soil and, consequently, the quality of the water. The aim of this study is therefore to inventory the activities carried out by the population around watercourses, to investigate waste management and to assess the impact on water and soil quality. The survey sample was selected on the basis of impacted zones located between 250 m and 750 m around watercourses. The aim of this study is therefore to inventory the activities carried out by the population around watercourses, to investigate waste management and to assess the impact on water and soil quality. The survey form was drawn up using Sphinx Plus2-Edition Lexica-V5 software. The survey data was entered into the same software, then transferred to Excel to generate the graphical. 880 people were surveyed, the most dominant age group was 25-48 years old, i.e. a rate of 66%. The most dominant gender was female, with a rate of 54%. The average age of the respondents was lower secondary school, and they were generally employed in the private sector. Commercial activities (restaurants/bars, pharmacies, grocery stores/ butchers, markets, etc.) are the most common economic activity, with a rate of around 70%; 59% of these activities are located close to or very close to the watercourse (750-1000 m). The activities that contribute to soil degradation, and consequently water degradation, in the city of Brazzaville are: 59% the dumping of household waste and/or wastewater on the ground and 32% uncontrolled urbanization. The study shows that soil and water pollution in Brazzaville is caused by poor management of household waste and uncontrolled urbanization.

Range dynamics of Anopheles mosquitoes in Africa suggest a significant increase in the malaria transmission risk.

Despite a more than 100-year effort to combat malaria, it remains one of the most malignant infectious diseases globally, especially in Africa. Malaria is transmitted by several Anopheles mosquitoes. However, until now few studies have investigated future range dynamics of major An. mosquitoes in Africa through a unified scheme. Through a unified scheme, we developed 21 species distribution models to predict the range dynamics of 21 major An. species in Africa under future scenarios and also examined their overall range dynamic patterns mainly through suitability overlap index and range overlap index. Although future range dynamics varied substantially among the 21 An. species, we predicted large future range expansions for all 21 An. species, and increases in suitability overlap index were detected in more than 90% of the African continent for all future scenarios. Additionally, we predicted high range overlap index in West Africa, East Africa, South Sudan, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo under future scenarios. Although the relative impacts of land use, topography and climate variables on the range dynamics depended on species and spatial scale, climate played the strongest roles in the range dynamics of most species. Africa might face an increasing risk of malaria transmissions in the future, and better strategies are required to address this problem. Mitigating climate change and human disturbance of natural ecosystems might be essential to reduce the proliferation of An. species and the risk of malaria transmissions in Africa in the future. Our strategies against their impacts should be species-specific.

Parauchenoglanis stiassnyae (Siluriformes: Auchenoglanididae): A new species of giraffe catfish from Mfimi-Lukenie basin, central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

A new, distinctively short-bodied giraffe catfish of Parauchenoglanis is described from the Ndzaa River, a small left-bank tributary of the Mfimi-Lukenie basin in the Central basin of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners by having 29 or fewer (vs. 33 or more) total vertebrae. It can further be distinguished from all congeners, except Parauchenoglanis zebratus Sithole et al., 2023 and Parauchenoglanis ngamensis (Boulenger 1911), by having 13 or 14 (vs. 16 or more) pre-anal vertebrae. The species is endemic to the Mfimi River basin, where it has been collected mainly in blackwater tributaries.