University Of Lubumbashi Research Articles

Retinoblastoma: A Retrospective Study of 27 Cases in University Hospital of Lubumbashi-RDC

We conducted a retrospective study on 27children with retinoblastoma in the Lubumbashi University Hospital between January 2008 and October 2012. Al cases were diagnosis clinically and 11 cases were confirmed by histology.

Peripheral Neuropathy and Quality of Life of Adults Living with HIV/AIDS in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLHIV) have a higher life expectancy and therefore brings considerable health problems that concerns not only therapy but also the quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the quality of life of patients infected with HIV presenting peripheral neuropathy (PN). Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive research design was used. A time constrained method was used to sample 76 adults living with HIV/AIDS, presenting peripheral neuropathy at the center of excellence HIV/UNILU of Lubumbashi University in Lubumbashi city, DR Congo. The world Health organization quality of life scale brief versions were used to collect the data. Results: The data of physical health and the environment present during this study high scores, essentially 23.76 and 23.48; the reasons used are the correct level of study, good care and economic recovery in our country. Psychological domain has a score of 17.10; the reasons used are the contribution of psychologists and support groups as well as community nurses who assist PLHIV. The social domain presents a low score, 7.5 because of the stigma and discrimination very thorough in our country. Conclusion: The effectiveness of care is judged by its impact on the quality of life of patients; nowadays the therapy must satisfy the doctors and the patients.

HIV and HBV Seroprevalence in Volunteer Blood Donors in Lubumbashi

HIV and HBV Seroprevalence in Volunteer Blood Donors in Lubumbashi Kabamba N. Michel1*, Bwana K. Ignace2, Kilolo N.U. Elie2, Kalonji C. Deddy3, Kabyla I. Benjamin4, Luboya N. Oscar4 1Department of Public Health, University of Kamina, Kamina, Democratic Republic of Congo 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kamina, Kamina, Democratic Republic of Congo 3Department of Pediatrics, University of Kamina, Kamina, Democratic Republic of Congo 4Department of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo SOJ Immunology Open Access Research Article

Peripheral neuropathies associated with HIV a clinical study in patients infected with HIV cases HIV excellence centre / University of Lubumbashi

Peripheral neuropathies associated with HIV a clinical study in patients infected with HIV cases HIV excellence centre / University of Lubumbashi

Intestinal Obstructions Complicating Peritoneal Adhesions at the Lubumbashi University Clinics

Background : Postoperative adhesions are the main cause of adhesive small bowel obstructions (ASBO), which represent a significant health problem with major adverse effects on quality of life. The present study aimed to determine the results of our experience in the ASBO management and to compare them with the reported results in this topic in developed countries.Methods : From January 2006 to January 2008, we prospectively enrolled 161 patients suffering from acute mechanical intestinal obstructions at Lubumbashi University Clinics. Among them, there were 62 cases of ASBO. All the demographic, medical, and follow-up data were collected in a standardized data collection form. Results : ASBO represented 1.6% of all patients admitted to the surgical unit and 35% of surgical abdominal emergencies. ASBO was the leading cause (38.5%) of mechanical bowel obstruction. The average age of the patients was 35 years (ranges: 5–68 years). Postoperative adhesions were the most frequent cause of ASBO. Appendectomy and laparotomy for peritonitis were previous surgeries mostly associated with ASBO. The largest number (41.2%) of ASBO occurred within 2 to 4 years after the first surgery. Our death rate and global complication rate are consistent with those reported in other studies.Conclusion : Postoperative adhesions constituted the first cause of ASBO in our experience in a developing country. Risk factors of ASBO remain unpredictable or poorly understood. Thus, all laparotomy must have useful indication and must be meticulous.

Heavy metal in hair samples of 109 non-industrial (miners) population in Katanga

This survey aims at proposing reference values of metals in the hair, in the copper-belt (Province of Katanga). We ran a descriptive study, in an etiologic perspective, on a sample of non-industrial population, constituted by students of the University of Lubumbashi, healthy and without medical treatment (n = 109). Hair samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Twenty metals were identified and quantified: aluminium, antimony, silver, barium, cadmium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, tin, iron, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, lead, vanadium, and zinc. Regarding similar surveys ran upon european no-industrial populations, our results are ranging in the same percentiles. They spread out those percentiles only when our results were too close to quantification limits (silver, tin, mercury, nickel and vanadium). For certain metals, in particular aluminium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum and lead, we have obtained higher contents. Several reasons can explain this specificity: ICP-MS sensitivity, analysis and preparation technique difference, diet difference or simply public health issues… Our results are close to others surveys' values. They can be validated as reference values for Katanga general population and used to highlight occupational exposure.

The University of Lubumbashi between the Local and the Global: Dynamics, Management, and Future of University Education in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The University of Lubumbashi between the Local and the Global: Dynamics, Management, and Future of University Education in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The University of Lubumbashi between the Local and the Global: Dynamics, Management, and Future of University Education in the Democratic Republic of Congo

ResumeJusqu’a present, la dynamique du champ universitaire en Afrique a surtout ete interpretee a partir du desengagement budgetaire de l’Etat et de la crise economique. Pour completer cette approche, cet article propose une etude de cas qui tente de cerner le sens dont est investi, au niveau local, la formation assuree par l’Universite de Lubumbashi, en Republique Democratique du Congo. Ce detour par le bas montre que le devenir de l’Universite en Afrique represente un enjeu important pour les differentes categories d’acteurs concernees, dont la nature avant tout symbolique est susceptible de contrecarrer les projets politiques, de couleur tantot liberale tantot tiers-mondiste, nourris a son egard dans les pays du Nord.

Contribution a l’ethnobotanique des Warega (Maniema, Kivu, Zaire)

CONTRIBUTION TO THE ETHNOBOTANY OF THE WAREGA (MANIEMA, KIVU, ZAIRE) As a result of the particular social positions held by the grandfather and aunt of the author, very detailed information about the traditional uses of plants in Maniema could be collected. All the information obtained is supported by a herbarium reference collection deposited in the Herbarium of the University of Lubumbashi (LSHI), together with one or several vernacular names. The information can be grouped on the basis of four main types of utilization, namely plants used as food (seeds and oleaginous nuts, amylaceous fruits and flowers, leaves, berries.); medicinal plants (parasitic diseases, gynaecology, obstetrics, etc.); plants for domestic use (tools, mats, textiles, dyes and other uses).