Sanru

Plasmodium ovale curtisi (Poc) and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri (Pow) are relapsing malaria parasites endemic to Africa and Asia that were previously thought to represent a single species. Amid increasing detection of ovale malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, we performed a population genomic study of both species across the continent. We conducted whole-genome sequencing of 25 isolates from Central and East Africa and analyzed them alongside 20 previously published African genomes. Isolates were predominantly monoclonal (43/45), with their genetic similarity aligning with geography. Pow showed lower average nucleotide diversity (1.8×10-4) across the genome compared to Poc (3.0×10-4) (p < 0.0001). Signatures of selective sweeps involving the dihydrofolate reductase gene were found in both species, as were signs of balancing selection at the merozoite surface protein 1 gene. Differences in the nucleotide diversity of Poc and Pow may reflect unique demographic history, even as similar selective forces facilitate their resilience to malaria control interventions.

BackgroundThe burden of maternal and child mortality is high in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While health workers (HWs) with adequate knowledge and practice of maternal and child health (MCH) are crucial to reduce this burden, the skill level of HWs in charge of MCH in the DRC is currently insufficient. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of HWs towards MCH in Kasai and Maniema, two DRC provinces with very high maternal mortality ratios and under-5 mortality rates.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 96 health facilities of Kasai and Maniema provinces in 2019. All HWs in charge of MCH were eligible for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire containing 76 questions on knowledge and practice of MCH. Analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, Kendall’s correlation test, and a multivariate linear mixed regression model.ResultsAmong participating HWs, 42.6% were A2 nurses (lowest qualification), 81.9% had no up-to-date training in MCH, and 48.4% had only 1-5 years of experience in MCH. In the two provinces combined, about half of HWs had poor knowledge (50.6%) and poor practice (53.3%) of MCH. Knowledge and practice scores were higher in Maniema than in Kasai (P < 0.001). Good knowledge and practice scores were significantly associated with high qualification (P = 0.001), continuing up-to-date training in MCH (P = 0.009), and 6 years of experience or more in MCH (P = 0.01).ConclusionIn Maniema and Kasai provinces, about half of HWs had poor knowledge and poor practice of MCH. The conversion of A1 nurses into midwives as well as the provision of up-to-date training in MCH, supervision, and mentorship could improve the skill level of HWs and could thus reduce the burden of MCH in the DRC.

Abstract Background The use of contraceptive methods remains an imperative for birth spacing. The Bomoyi project of SANRU Asbl, has invested during the last 3 years to improve its use among adolescents. The objective of this study was to assess the level of contraceptive use among youth in the Alunguli health zone. Methods The study was conducted in the Alunguli Health Zone, one of 18 health zones in the Maniema Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical purpose from June 1 to December 31, 2021. A stratified sample of 345 youth records was randomly selected. The data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 14.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Results The rate modern contraceptive methods use among youth in the Alunguli Health Zone was 36.8%. The majority (58.3%) used condoms. Age, gender, education level, occupation and religion of youth were the determinants associated with low use of modern contraceptive methods among youth in the Alunguli Health Zone. Conclusion The use of modern contraceptive methods by young people in the Alunguli health zone was much higher than the provincial average of 10.4% noted in Maniema in 2018 for women aged 15 to 49 who were married or in union, or the average of 0% among unmarried women in the same age bracket.

Informed consent (IC) is linked to the ethical principle of respecting patient autonomy, respect for human rights and ethical practice, while in many countries it is a standard procedure. Anecdotally, it should be noted that in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in many instances ICs are not obtained systematically. To date, no research appears to have been conducted on this matter. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of obtaining IC from patients among health care providers (HCP) in the DRC. This was a cross-sectional study, with a convenient sampling of 422 participants. Data from the questions were collected on an imported Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for review at INSTAT.TM The authors set IC's accurate knowledge and practice at 80% or higher. The Fisher Exact test was used to compare categorical association results, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results showed that giving information in detail to patients on their medical condition was associated with formal training on medical ethics and IC (p: 0.0028; OR: 1.894; CI: 1.246 to 2.881), which was also associated with answering the patient's questions in detail (p: 0.0035; OR: 1.852; CI: 1.236 to 2.774). About 127(30.09 %) of participants scored 80% or higher. Extracurricular training was associated with withholding information from patients, up to 27 times more than other factors (p< 0.0001; OR: 27.042; CI: 13.628 to 53.657). when it comes to get IC, HCP with many years of practice scored better than others, in one of the question the odd ratio was closer to 7 (p< 0.0001; OR: 6.713; CI: 4.352 to 10.356). Only 47(11.14%) of the participants scored 80% or more of the questions about practice of IC. For a variety of reasons, knowledge and practice of IC among HCPs was very low. A common programme for the country as part of formal training might lead to an improvement. In addition, patients' education on IC should be displayed in waiting areas at all medical centres.