University of Goma

Background: Several governments and their development partners are making significant investments to build and equip basic health centres. Does this support improve attendance at FOSAs and the quality of services offered? Purpose: This study was conducted to explore the perception of the quality of health services by users and providers in subsidised health facilities in the Bunia health zone. Methods: This exploratory study was conducted in the Bunia health zone using ethnographic methods. The sample, consisting of 59 participants, was made up of providers, CODESA members, users, community leaders, and neighbourhood chiefs. Convenience and purposive sampling were used to select the sample. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. NVIvo was used for data analysis. Results: Users experience multiple difficulties in subsidised facilities, including poor reception, high costs, inadequate human resources, drug shortages, and discrimination. They believe that providers should prioritise human life and that FOSA should organise training for their staff. Registered nurses (IT) and providers observe a gap between the public and private sectors and agree that only users can provide an accurate assessment. They confirm the possibility of deferred payment in subsidised FOSAs, unlike private ones, and deplore the lack of materials and equipment, in addition to the reduced number of qualified staff in subsidised health facilities. Conclusion: Improving service delivery in healthcare facilities and promoting humanised care could help improve user perception.

Purpose This study examines the impact of after-hours communication and connectivity expectations on burnout among full-time employees in China, with work–life balance as a mediating factor, aiming to provide insights for improving employee well-being in digitally intensive workplaces. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative correlational design was employed, collecting data from 300 full-time employees in China via a survey distributed through WeChat, QQ, Weibo and Douyin. Validated instruments included the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, the Work–Life Balance Scale, a custom scale for after-hours communication and an adapted scale for connectivity expectations. Findings Frequent after-hours communication and expectations of constant availability significantly increase burnout, both directly and indirectly by diminishing work–life balance. BMC Public Health study noting connectivity-driven stress in China’s telecommunications sector. Originality/value Rather than treating digital connectivity as a single construct, this study distinguishes enacted connectivity (after-hours communication) from normative connectivity (connectivity expectations) and tests work–life balance as the mechanism through which both demands translate into burnout. By doing so in China, where always-on platform communication is common and cultural norms may intensify responsiveness expectations, the study extends existing burnout and digital work research into a context that remains underrepresented in the literature and provides clearer targets for organizational policy.

The morbidity and mortality related to wound infections and microbial resistance are real public health concern in low-income settings where data are lacking, empirical antibiotic use is common and microbiological diagnostics are limited. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns resulting from wound infections. We conducted a one-year multicenter cross-sectional study across hospitals in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Consecutive patients with clinically infected wounds were enrolled. Wound swabs were processed using standard culture and susceptibility testing. Firth’s bias-reduced logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with surgical site infection (SSI) and AMR, with analyses stratified by Gram staining. Most patients were below 40 years old, with a median age of 27 years (IQR: 22–39), predominantly males (64.5%). Gunshot injuries (33.2%), road traffic accidents (24.5%) and cesarean section (14.8%) were the leading cause of wounds. SSIs accounted for 21.25% of all clinically diagnosed infected wounds; they were significantly associated with female sex (OR = 3.65, 95% CI: 1.18–11.92, p = 0.03) and abdominal surgery (OR = 272.92, 95% CI: 85.66–1208.58, p < 0.001). In female patients, a high rate of SSIs was observed following cesarean section (86.8%). Overall microbial swab cultures were negative in 21.0%. Among 18 isolated species, Gram-negative bacteria were predominant with Proteus mirabilis (24.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.6%), and Escherichia coli (12.7%), as the leading pathogens. In Gram-stratified Firth models, empirical antibiotic therapy was not independently associated with increased in vitro AMR. Amikacin showed a protective association among Gram-negative isolates, while estimates for Gram-positive cocci were imprecise due to small sample size. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited reduced susceptibility to multiple drug classes. Wound infections in Goma are largely linked to trauma and cesarean deliveries, with Gram-negative microorganisms dominating. The microbial ecology comprises ESKAPE pathogens and species known for their emerging resistance patterns such as Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Empirical antibiotic therapy was not independently associated with AMR after adjustment. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced diagnostic strategies, strengthened infection prevention measures, and effective antimicrobial stewardship in this resource-limited and conflict-affected setting.

Introduction: The use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal husbandry has been banned due to concerns that antibiotic residues can accumulate in animal tissues and lead to bacterial resistance. The present study aimed to explore the effects of varying amounts of Cyperus alternifolius (C. alternifolius) rhizome powder on feed digestibility, growth performance, intestinal microbial flora, hemato-biochemical parameters, and immune responses in broiler chickens as an alternative to antibiotics. Materials and methods: An experiment was conducted at the Application and Research Farm of the University of Dschang (Cameroon) over 49 days. A total of 512 day-old broiler chickens, including 256 males and 256 females, were randomly assigned to eight treatment groups, with four replicates of 16 chickens each, with equal numbers from both sexes. The treatment groups included a negative control group which administered a basal diet without additive (NC), a basal diet containing 1 g of doxycycline/kg of feed as the positive control group (PC), and six diets containing the powder of C. alternifolius rhizome as a phyto-additive, at the dose of 1 g of C. alternifolius/kg of feed (T1), 2 g (T2), 4 g (T4), 6 g (T6), 8 g (T8) and 10 g (T10). The growth performance, carcass characteristics, microbial flora, feed digestibility, the immune system, and hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated.Results: Live weight and weight gain increased by approximately 7.02% and 7.11%, respectively, in T4 compared with NC during the finisher phase. Feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced in T4 by approximately 11.05% compared to NC, but it was comparable to that of PC, T6, and T8. The number of lactobacilli and crude protein digestibility increased significantly in all treatment groups compared to NC. Furthermore, in T4, the number of Escherichia coli significantly decreased by 40.9% compared to NC, T1, T8, and T10. Besides the notable increase in total protein level in T4 compared with other groups, the hemato-biochemical parameters of the chickens showed no significant differences across groups.Conclusion: Cyperus alternifolius at a dose of 4 g/kg of feed demonstrated potential as an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics, with diminished adverse effects on broiler chicken health.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium, is a leading preventable cause of epilepsy in children, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where inadequate sanitation practices and limited veterinary control strategies persist. A missing link in the One Health response to NCC has been the absence of communication between neurospecialists and the other partners in control strategies. This narrative review explores how integrating neurological expertise into One Health strategies can enhance the prevention and control of NCC-associated epilepsy in children across the region. We reviewed literature from PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, Web of Science, Global Health, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the African Index Medicus, including peer-reviewed articles and organizational reports published between 2013 and March 2025. Out of 1,509 records screened, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on neuroparasitosis-associated epilepsy in children across SSA. These included research on disease burden and care challenges (n = 10), pathogenesis (n = 8), One Health control strategies (n = 4), and implementation barriers and solutions (n = 6). NCC remains a major contributor to pediatric epilepsy and associated disability in SSA. A One Health approach informed by direct input from neuro-specialists and better recording of infectious causes of epilepsy can assist teams to implement key strategies, including community education, improved sanitation, food safety measures, pig vaccination, and mass drug administration. Strengthening intersectoral collaboration and healthcare access is critical to reducing NCC burden and improving neurological outcomes for affected children.

Spatial distribution of trace elements (TEs) in soils of the city of Dschang (Cameroon) was studied to identify their origin (geogenic vs. anthropogenic). The topsoil (at different depths) of 71 sites was analyzed using the rapid portable X-ray fluorescence analysis method. Soils from locations associated with metal-related activities exhibited the highest levels of contamination (average concentrations in mg kg−1: As, 8.2; Cr, 213.7; Cu, 201.8; Pb, 97.4; Zn, 838.0), followed by household waste dumps and agricultural plots (levels close to those of cultivated low-lying areas). The observed decrease in TE concentrations with depth (notably for Zn) supports the hypothesis of a human origin (compared with soil-geochemical background of control sites). Geostatistical approach indicated an underestimation of health risks associated with the consumption of crops from several sites. Specifically, 87.32%, 49.30%, and 47.89% of the sites exceeded the Food Crops Reference Value (FCRV) for Cr, Zn, and Cu, respectively. Additionally, the number of contaminated sites for each TE varies depending on the method: Cu &gt; Zn &gt; Pb &gt; Cr &gt; As = Ni &gt; Cd and Cr &gt; Zn &gt; Cu &gt; Ni &gt; Pb &gt; As &gt; Cd with the geostatistical and FCRV approach respectively. From the first step of the soil chemical quality investigation, our study highlights the need to use methods based on health risks, especially for sensitive uses of soils such as food production.

Background:Obstetric fistula (OF) is a severe and debilitating complication of childbirth that primarily affects women in developing countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It results in chronic urinary and/or fecal incontinence, often accompanied by social isolation, stigma, and psychological distress, thereby having a profound negative impact on the quality of life of affected women.Objectives:This study aims to evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge regarding OF among Congolese women of reproductive age in the North Kivu Province.Design:This is a community-based, cross-sectional study.Methods:A two-stage cluster random sampling method was employed to select a sample of 500 women aged 15–49 years. Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire gathered information on sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, and knowledge of OF. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with a good OF knowledge.Results:The mean age of respondents was 33.7 ± 10.4 years. Among the 467 surveyed, 22.7% demonstrated good OF knowledge. Urban residence (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.8, 95% CI [1.6–4.6]; p < 0.0001), being single (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI [1.3–4.6]; p = 0.0078), lack of professional occupation (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.0–2.7]; p = 0.0407), use of family planning services (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.2–3.2]; p = 0.0111), and personally knowing someone who had suffered from OF (aOR = 9.6, 95% CI [2.0–46.9]; p = 0.0052) were independently associated with good OF knowledge.Conclusion:The study revealed that a substantial proportion of women in North Kivu province have limited knowledge about OF. Strengthening awareness and education efforts, particularly in rural settings, is essential to promote early recognition of symptoms and timely care-seeking behavior. Targeted health education programs and community-based interventions are crucial to improving understanding and reducing the burden of this preventable condition. Moreover, identifying the determinants of good OF knowledge can inform the design of more effective prevention and intervention strategies at the elimination of this condition.

Background:Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have significantly advanced medical diagnostics and surgical procedures, particularly in spinal and cranial surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery has emerged as a transformative approach, offering increased precision, reduced intraoperative complications, and improved surgical outcomes. This review examines the effectiveness and reliability of AI in spinal and cranial diagnosis, its integration into robotic-assisted surgical interventions, and the associated ethical concerns.Method:An extensive literature search was search was conducted on different search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus to find relevant articles.Result:Findings suggest that AI models exhibit high accuracy in detecting spinal and cranial pathologies. ML algorithms contribute to enhanced prognostic assessments and decision-making in neurosurgery. Robotic-assisted surgeries have superior accuracy, lower radiation exposure, and fewer postoperative complications compared to conventional methods. However, challenges such as data biases, lack of transparency in AI decision-making, regulatory hurdles, and the high costs of AI-driven interventions pose significant barriers to widespread adoption. Ethical concerns, including patient privacy, algorithmic bias, and the potential overreliance on AI, must be addressed to ensure responsible integration into clinical practice.Conclusion:Use of AI and machine learning improves the diagnostic outcomes and decreases post op complications in the field of spinal and cranial surgery. But certain challenges such as ethical concerns and technical hurdles should be sorted out with effective planning. Further research is necessary to refine AI-driven interventions, enhance cost-effectiveness, and to make sure ethical and equitable implementation of AI and robotic surgery in neurosurgical care.