Université Protestante au Congo

Aims: Hibiscus species are widely recognised for their rich nutritional profile, which includes essential micronutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. They also contain a range of compounds classified as anti-nutritional factors, including oxalates, cyanogenic glycosides, tannins and others, which can interfere with the bioavailability and absorption of key nutrients. Study Design: In this experimental study we investigated the oxalate content across five Hibiscus species subjected to traditional processing methods. Treatments included sun drying, soaking, and the application of artisanal potash. Quantitative analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of each practice on total and soluble oxalate levels, with species and provenance as variables. Place and Duration of Study: Hibiscus samples were collected from Kikwit and Idiofa cities across Kwilu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Laboratory analyses were subsequently performed at the Department of Chemistry, Higher Institute of Education (ISP), Kikwit, Kwilu Province, DRC. Methodology: Hibiscus species were collected from Kikwit and Idiofa (Kwilu State, DRC), and their total and soluble oxalate contents were determined before and after traditional treatments using volumetric titration with a standard potassium permanganate solution. Results: Analysis revealed that traditional processing practices exert variable effects on the oxalic acid content of Hibiscus leaves, with oxalate levels differing by species and provenance. Sun drying significantly influenced oxalate concentrations in sorrel (H. sabdariffa), resulting in a reduction of total oxalate by 1-31% and soluble oxalate by 51–91.4%. Notably, H. sabdariffa var. sabdariffa exhibited an unexpected increase of approximately 50.5% in total oxalate following sun drying. The application of indigenous potash (Kompos) also impacted oxalate levels: total oxalate decreased by 3-29%, while soluble oxalate increased across all samples, ranging from 56-87%. Furthermore, soaking dried sorrel leaves in water led to a marked reduction in oxalate content, with total oxalate decreasing by 3.5-32.4% and soluble oxalate by 35.5-55.9%, compared to untreated controls. Conclusion: Five Hibiscus species analyzed in this study exhibited significant oxalate levels, shaped by their geographic origin. Traditional processing, specifically sun drying and soaking, reduced soluble oxalate concentrations by 51-92%. While treatment with local potash decreased total oxalate, it simultaneously elevated soluble oxalate, likely through the transformation of insoluble forms mediated by bicarbonate and hydroxide ions.

Background: Poliomyelitis is a vaccine-preventable disease, with oral poliomyelitis vaccines (OPVs) and injectable poliomyelitis vaccines. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) persist due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including the quality of the cold chain, which may make the vaccines less effective. This study’s objective was to evaluate the cold chain’s quality of OPVs and its effect on the vaccine’s viability and potency at different levels in health systems in Kinshasa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa, collecting OPVs at different levels of the health pyramid. Vaccine viability was assessed by cell culture using a modified World Health Organization (WHO) protocol, and the viral titer was determined using the Karber formula. The vaccine titer was classified as “very good”, “good”, or “poor” according to the WHO standard’s viral titer. Results: A total of 53 vaccines were collected and analyzed, compressing 38 bivalent oral poliomyelitis (bOPV) vaccines and 15 novel oral poliomyelitis vaccines, type 2 (nOPV2). The viral titer ranged from log105.8 to log 107.3 and from log105.4 to log108.9 for the nOPV2 and the bOPV, respectively. Of these 53 vaccine samples, 10% of the bOPVs showed viral titers below the recommended WHO threshold (>106 CCID50/dose), 100% of the nOPV2 had viral titers within the WHO standards (>105 CCID50/dose), and a significant decline in the viral titer was observed for both types of vaccines (nOPV2 and bOPV) as the distribution progressed along the level of the health pyramid. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the viral titer of OPV declined from central to peripheral areas in routine and campaign strategies in Kinshasa.

Les conséquences du mariage civil sur les biens immobiliers des conjoints | Congo-Afrique - Revue Congo-Afrique, la référence en matière d'économie, politique, vie sociale et culture en RDC et en Afrique

BackgroundThe European Thyroid Association Thyroid Imaging Data and Reporting Systems (EU-TIRADS) is widely used in the risk stratification of thyroid nodule malignancy. However, data on the subject in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical, sonographic and histopathological concordance of thyroid nodules in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.MethodsThis was an analytical cross-sectional study that examined the clinical, ultrasound and pathological data of 61 patients from 4 hospitals in the city province of Kinshasa over a period of 24 months, from June 01, 2020 to May 31, 2022.ResultsOf the 61 patients, their mean age was 47.38 ± 8.8 years. The mean clinical score of the patients was 3.4 ± 0.84 with the extremes ranging from 1 to 5. The majority of the patients were classified as having an intermediate risk, ie 85.2% of the cases. It was noted that 41% of the nodules had a high risk according to the EU-TIRADS score and 8.2% of the nodules were malignant after histopathological analysis. The ROC curves reported at the diagnosis of malignancy show an area under the curve of 0.709 with 95% CI (0.486–0.931), a Youden index of 0.769 for the clinical score, and an area under the curve of 0.830 with 95% CI (0.605–0.995), a Youden index of 0.772 for the EU-TIRADS score.ConclusionIn a low-income country, a well-performed thyroid ultrasound and the well-applied clinical score could be an important tool in the selection of thyroid nodules suspected of malignancy and requiring histopathological examination to avoid excessive acts in the patient.

ABSTRACT Introduction Low research output is hindering efforts to improve health services in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). AfriWon Research Group of WONCA Africa has established an online collaborative research mentorship and training programme to boost research capacity among Family Physicians in SSA. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the programme in achieving this goal. Methodology A mixed-method descriptive cross-sectional study was used to interview the 54 members of the 2022 SOGER cohort. Structured questionnaires and key informant interviews of 12 members were used to collect data. Quantitative analysis was done using Epi Info version 7.2.5. Descriptive statistics were used to present data using frequencies and percentages. Qualitative analysis was then done by using Nvivo®. Results The 54 participants practised in 10 SSA countries and were mostly males 28 (51.9%) with a mean age of 41.56 ± 2.04 years. The majority of them 33 (61.1%) have had some form of research experience prior to joining SOGER. Members identified key benefits of the programme as fostering collaboration, mentorship and continuing education 46 (85.2%); and improvement of research skills 33 (61.1%). Barriers identified were poor collaboration and participation among members 37 (68.5%); irregular meeting schedules as a result of the different time zones 18 (33.3%); and poor internet facilities 19 (35.2%). Conclusion The SOGER programme was rated as very effective in increasing the research capacity of young FPs and helping participants engage with other researchers and develop research skills. Identified areas of improvement were difficulty meeting set group targets, irregular meetings and conflicting work schedules.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the prevalence of mental health issues could be greater than in other low-income and middle-income countries because of major risk factors related to armed conflicts and poverty. Given that mental health is an essential component of health, it is surprising that no systematic evaluation of mental health in the DRC has yet been undertaken. This study aims to undertake the first systematic review of mental health literacy and service provision in the DRC, to bridge this gap and inform those who need to develop an evidence base. This could support policymakers in tackling the issues related to limited mental health systems and service provision in DRC. Following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, a systematic (Web of Science, Medline, Public Health, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar) search was conducted (January 2000 and August 2023). Combinations of key blocks of terms were used in the search such as DRC, war zone, mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sexual violence, war trauma, resilience, mental health systems and service provision. We followed additional sources from reference lists of included studies. Screening was completed in two stages: title and abstract search, and full-text screening for relevance and quality. Overall, 50 studies were included in the review; the majority of studies (n = 31) were conducted in the Eastern region of the DRC, a region devastated by war and sexual violence. Different instruments were used to measure participants’ mental health such as the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25), The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS). Our study found that wartime sexual violence and extreme poverty are highly traumatic, and cause multiple, long-term mental health difficulties. We found that depression, anxiety, and PTSD were the most common problems in the DRC. Psychosocial interventions such as group therapy, family support, and socio-economic support were effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. This systematic review calls attention to the need to support sexual violence survivors and many other Congolese people affected by traumatic events. This review also highlights the need for validating culturally appropriate measures, and the need for well-designed controlled intervention studies in low-income settings such as the DRC. Better public mental health systems and service provision could help to improve community cohesion, human resilience, and mental wellbeing. There is also an urgent need to address wider social issues such as poverty, stigma, and gender inequality in the DRC.

BackgroundIn Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, there is a low evocation of the diagnosis of sickle cell disease (SCD) by first-level healthcare providers (HCPs), most likely because of poor knowledge of the disease.AimTo assess the levels of knowledge and practices of SCD and to identify determinants of the practices among primary HCPs.SettingHealthcare facilities in Selembao health zone in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.MethodsA cross-sectional study of HCPs randomly selected through a two-stage sampling design. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Univariate and bivariate analysis were done to describe the levels of knowledge and practices of SCD. Factors associated with better practices on SCD were determined using multiple linear regression. The threshold for statistical significance was p ˂ 0.05.ResultsA total of 318 HCPs, which included 80 physicians and 238 nurses, participated in the study. The participants showed different scores on the components of the knowledge. All the participants showed poor practices on SCD. Multiple linear regression retained overall knowledge of SCD as a significant predictor of better practice for physicians. Knowledge of SCD and duration of work experience were significant predictors of better practices among nurses.ConclusionThe practices of healthcare providers on SCD were far from optimal. These practices were significantly associated with knowledge and experience of healthcare providers.ContributionThis study highlighted the need for continuing professional education to enhance the management of SCD in the setting.

Background and objective: Oral pathologies are part of dangerous diseases and increase the economic burden of households in the Democratic Republic of Congo.The objective of this study is to establish an orthopantomographic profile (OPT) of the oral and dental condition of the population of Kinshasa.Methods: Documentary and descriptive cross-sectional study which included 688 medical files of patients who underwent OPT at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital (BMMH) over a period of 24 months, from January 2020 to January 2022.Data such as age, sex and oral condition were studied.Results: the teeth of the incisor-canine sector were the most present in the mouth and were the least affected.We also note a high proportion of missing wisdom teeth, whether mandibular or maxillary.The 2nd premolars and the 1st maxillary molars are most often absent.The most dilapidated teeth were those of the posterior mandibular or maxillary sector, particularly the premolars and two first molars.We note that the teeth in the posterior, mandibular or maxillary sector were those which benefited the most from composite treatment.Conclusion: This study shows that despite the dental care of patients, the dental condition of the population of Kinshasa is dilapidated.

Abstract Context Worldwide, 72 countries criminalize homosexuality. Only one country in Africa recognizes homosexuality. While 10 countries criminalize it, against only one that protects it. Exceptionally, the DRC does not have legislation against or for homosexuality. The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes and perceptions of Congolese and sexual minorities on homosexuality.Methods This study was cross-sectional and analytical, conducted from February the 1St, 2021 to March the 30th, 2022, in the homosexual, bisexual and transgender population of Kinshasa town. The selection was made in homosexual associations and we used the snowball method to constitute our sample. The statistical significance level is P < 0.05.Results Almost half of the respondents (44.3%) were met with rejection by those around them. The majority (57.8%) have been victims of homophobic harassment. For Congolese population, homosexuality was perceived as a spiritual possession (90.5%). Homosexuality was not perceived as a handicap to undertake a profession (76.0%), although respondents with employment commitment represented just 15.3%.Conclusion The Congolese population has a bad perception of homosexuality, with an attitude of rejection and harassment towards LGBT people; in the other hand, homosexuals have a good perception of their homosexuality.