University of Mbuji Mayi

L’accès à une eau de boisson salubre demeure un défi majeur de santé publique dans de nombreux pays africains, notamment en République Démocratique du Congo. A Mbujimayi, la faiblesse du réseau public de distribution, la dépendance aux sources alternatives et les déficiences d’assainissement exposent les populations à des risques sanitaires importants. Cette étude a été conduite dans le but de déterminer la qualité physico-chimique et microbiologique de différentes eaux de boisson issues de différentes sources selon les saisons et d’en estimer les risques sanitaires associés, et ce, par rapport aux normes de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS). C’est une étude descriptive analytique transversale réalisée sur 62 échantillons d’eau collectés dans 31 sites représentant sept types de sources d’approvisionnement. Les analyses ont été effectuées selon des méthodes normalisées et des procédures opérationnelles validées. Les risques sanitaires ont été évalués par une matrice OMS et une approche QMRA. Les résultats montrent une forte variabilité saisonnière. La saison sèche est marquée par une minéralisation accrue et des dépassements de certaines valeurs guides chimiques, tandis que la saison des pluies est caractérisée par une contamination microbiologique élevée. La convergence des analyses physico-chimiques, microbiologiques et de l’évaluation quantitative du risque microbiologique (QMRA) indique que plus de 70 % des sources étudiées présentent un niveau de risque infectieux modéré à critique, incompatible avec une consommation directe sans traitement préalable. La qualité des eaux de boisson à Mbujimayi est donc globalement non conforme aux normes OMS, justifiant la mise en oeuvre urgente de stratégies intégrées de gestion du risque.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common and potentially life-threatening haematological disorder. In high-income countries, universal newborn screening and timely interventions have markedly reduced infant mortality. In contrast, in low-resource settings, diagnosis often occurs only in late childhood, once clinical manifestations have developed. The high cost, technical complexity, and limited availability of conventional diagnostic methods remain major barriers to implementing neonatal screening programmes in sub-Saharan Africa and other resource-constrained regions. We assessed the diagnostic performance of Sickle SCAN®, a prototype rapid immunoassay designed to qualitatively detect HbA, HbS, and HbC. The test is based on a lateral flow immunoassay format and provides results at the point of care. Cord blood samples from 365 newborns were analysed with Sickle SCAN® and results were compared against the reference standard of capillary electrophoresis. Sickle SCAN® accurately identified haemoglobin phenotypes in 97.3% of cases (95% CI: 95.0%-98.7%). For HbAA, sensitivity was 97.8% (95% CI: 94.9%-99.3%) and specificity was 96.5% (95% CI: 92.0%-98.9%). For HbAS, sensitivity was 95.8% (95% CI: 90.5%-98.6%) and specificity 98.0% (95% CI: 95.3%-99.3%). Importantly, no false-positive or false-negative results were observed for HbSS and HbAC, yielding 100% sensitivity and specificity for these phenotypes. Our findings demonstrate that Sickle SCAN® is a highly accurate, rapid, and low-cost tool for neonatal SCD screening. Its use could substantially reduce diagnostic delays, lower programme costs, and improve accessibility to early detection in resource-limited settings, thereby contributing to improved child survival.

Purpose: To assess the anatomical, radiological, and functional outcomes of fluoroscopy-free percutaneous intrafocal pinning for distal radius fractures in adults in resource-constrained settings of South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, interventional study, 101 adults with distal radius fractures were treated from January 2018 to December 2023 across four hospitals. Fractures were reduced using external maneuvers and stabilized with three-pin percutaneous intrafocal pinning without fluoroscopy. Outcomes were evaluated using the Grumillier Criteria and modified Castaing classification, with a minimum six-month follow-up. Data analysis with R software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) included descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and factorial analysis.Results: Patients had a mean age of 36.41 ± 12.61 years (range: 18-70). Castaing type I fractures comprised 92.08% of cases, with types 2 and 4 each at 2.97%. Consolidation occurred at a mean of 46.82 ± 4.67 days. Complications included superficial infections (three cases), callus formation (three cases), pin migration (two cases), algodystrophy (one case), twisted pin (one case), radial sensory branch injury (one case), and thumb extensor tendon injury (one case). At a mean follow-up of 27.27 ± 11.85 months, subjective outcomes were very good in 84.16% and good in 9.90%; objective outcomes were very good in 77.23% and good in 16.83%; and radiological outcomes were very good in 75.25% and good in 19.80%. Longer rehabilitation correlated with poorer scores, while extended hospitalization was associated with worse objective outcomes. Socio-professional reintegration was reduced with poor objective scores. Age and gender had no impact on outcomes.Conclusion: Fluoroscopy-free percutaneous intrafocal pinning is a safe and effective technique for managing distal radius fractures in low-resource settings. It delivers excellent anatomical, radiological, and functional results.

Abstract Due to its mitigation potential, the Congo Basin attracts attention from regional and international stakeholders. Its sustainable management and conservation is essential for climate regulation, biodiversity preservation, and the livelihoods of billions. Yet, the Congo Basin has not attracted much attention from the scientific community and remains relatively understudied. With respect to public investments, the Basin receives less international financial flows that promote ecological, social, and economic sustainability. This chapter assesses the role of data generated knowledge and reliable information in guiding policy. It surmises that research and sustainable development projects are not adequately financed in the region to produce knowledge that inform policymaking. Over the previous decades, some efforts have been made at the different scales under the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, the World Bank’s Congo Basin Carbon Partnership Facility and the Central African Forest Initiative, the Congo Basin Blue Fund, and the Congo Critical Forest Biome Integrated Program, among others. Nonetheless, the Congo Basin remains enormously underfunded comparatively. There is need for an expanded Congo Basin Climate Science Initiative, which comprises of both infrastructure and human capacity building programs. Such an initiative should seek to transform the understanding of the Basin and provide crucial inputs for policymaking. A properly conceived blended finance model shall be required to attract public and private investments needed to strengthen knowledge systems for data generation and information to guide attainment of global sustainable development objectives.

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of lighting conditions in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of two major hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Hospital du Cinquantenaire in Kinshasa and Jason Sendwe Hospital in Lubumbashi. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating continuous illuminance monitoring with structured staff surveys to evaluate visual comfort in accordance with the EN 12464-1 standard for indoor workplaces. Objective measurements revealed that more than 52.2% of the evaluated ICU workspaces failed to meet the recommended minimum illuminance level of 300 lux. Subjective responses from healthcare professionals indicated that poor lighting significantly reduced job satisfaction by 40%, lowered self-rated task performance by 30%, decreased visual comfort scores from 4.1 to 2.6 (on a 1–5 scale), and increased the prevalence of well-being symptoms (eye fatigue, headaches) by 25–35%. Frequent complaints included eye strain, glare, and discomfort with posture, with these issues often exacerbated during the rainy season due to reduced natural daylight. The study highlights critical deficiencies in current lighting infrastructure and emphasizes the need for urgent improvements in clinical environments. Moreover, inconsistent energy supply to these healthcare settings also impacts the assurance of visual comfort. To address these shortcomings, the study recommends transitioning to energy-efficient LED lighting, enhancing access to natural light, incorporating circadian rhythm-based lighting systems, enabling individual lighting control at workstations, and ensuring a consistent power supply via the integration of solar inverters to the grid supply. These interventions are essential not only for improving healthcare staff performance and safety but also for supporting better patient outcomes. The findings offer actionable insights for hospital administrators and policymakers in the DRC and similar low-resource settings seeking to enhance environmental quality in critical care facilities.

Purpose: To provide evidence of the benefit of treating open fractures of moderate and complex severity using the protocol combining the Papineau technique as first-line treatment with honey, in terms of post-operative results. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out in three hospitals in Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic of Congo; from January 1, 2017 to March 30, 2025. It involved 91 patients admitted to the trauma department for open fractures of the leg bones and divided into three groups according to the therapeutic protocols used. Results: The mean wound healing time was 46.8 ± 11.1 days for the group of patients treated with the experimental protocol combining the Papineau technique as first intention with honey, compared to the other methods (Papineau technique as first intention without honey and classical Papineau technique) whose respective wound healing times were 62.5 ± 13.1 days and 72.2 ± 9.5 days. This experimental protocol proved effective in terms of reducing the average partial weight-bearing times (9.6 ± 1.9 weeks), and obtaining sufficient bone consolidation (7.7 ± 1.0 months) as well as the average length of hospital stay of patients (5.5 ± 1.7 months). Results which are much better, compared to the other therapeutic methods under study. Unique Contribution to Theory. Practice and Policy: The protocol combining the Papineau technique as a first-line treatment with honey has better post-operative results and significantly reduces the duration of patient inactivity after fracture of the leg bones, compared to other methods studied.

<ns3:p> Background Intestinal parasitoses are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Africa. The tropical climate in the D.R. Congo provides parasites with an environment conducive to their proliferation. The prevalence rates of intestinal parasitoses remain poorly understood in the D.R. Congo. Objective This study aims to estimate the overall and specific prevalence of intestinal parasitoses and to determine an association between intestinal parasitoses and the season at CHUNDE. Methods From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, patients for whom a direct stool examination was requested at the Notre Dame de l’Espérance University Hospital Center were included in this study. Stool samples were collected and examined under an optical microscope. Results During the period of the study, we recorded 187 patients aged 2 to 77 years. The prevalence of intestinal parasitoses was 75.40%. The specific prevalence rates for parasites were as follows: <ns3:italic>Entamoeba histolytica</ns3:italic> , the most common, with a prevalence of 55.08%, followed by <ns3:italic>Pentstrichomonas hominis</ns3:italic> and <ns3:italic>Giardia lamblia</ns3:italic> with respective prevalence rates of 9.09% and 6.24%. <ns3:italic>Ascaris lumbrucoide</ns3:italic> had a prevalence of 27.81%, followed by <ns3:italic>Schistosoma mansoni</ns3:italic> , <ns3:italic>Ancylostoma duodenalis</ns3:italic> , and <ns3:italic>Enterobius vermicularis</ns3:italic> with respective prevalence rates of 3.74%, 1.60%, and 1.07%. There was no association between the season and the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitoses. Conclusion The prevalence of intestinal parasitoses was higher. There is no statistically valid association between the season and the prevalence of intestinal parasitoses. </ns3:p>

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) remains a major public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa. Newborn screening (NBS) programs are crucial for early diagnosis and improved survival. However, their effectiveness depends largely on healthcare providers’ knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes. This study assessed these aspects among providers in Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 191 healthcare providers selected by stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with STATA version 16. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify determinants associated with knowledge of SCD.Results: The median age of respondents was 29 years, with a predominance of females (71.20%). Most participants had a secondary or higher education level (97.38%) and were nurses (56.54%). About 76.44% had heard of SCD, mainly through television (64.38%) and radio (20.55%). Regarding attitudes, 74.66% believed in the importance of screening and supported early testing, while 98.95% favored referring newborns with SCD to hospitals. Perceptions revealed strong cultural beliefs: 82.20% associated SCD with mysticism or diabolical causes. Bivariate analysis showed that knowledge of SCD and its NBS was significantly associated with profession (crude OR = 36.30), prior examine SCD patients (crude OR = 36.00), and education level (crude OR = 14.15). In the multivariate model, two factors remained independently associated with adequate knowledge: being a medical doctor (adjusted OR = 23.382; 95% CI: 3.097–176.550; p = 0.0022) and having prior experience examining a patient with SCD (adjusted OR = 29.154; 95% CI: 3.584-237.150; p = 0.0016).Conclusion: While awareness of SCD and its NBS among healthcare providers in Mbuji-Mayi is relatively high, significant misconceptions and cultural beliefs persist. Professional category and clinical experience with SCD are key determinants of knowledge. These findings highlight the need for targeted training and sensitization to strengthen early screening practices and address sociocultural barriers.

IntroductionEmergency contraception is an essential method for preventing unintended pregnancies, especially after unprotected sexual intercourse. However, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to emergency contraception among university students remain underexplored, particularly in low-resource settings such as Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants influencing the use of emergency contraception among female students in Goma.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 677 female students from two universities in Goma who were selected via a cluster sampling method. Data were collected via a preestablished questionnaire, and participants were interviewed after providing consent. The data were analysed via STATA 16, with chi-square tests to compare variables, considering a significance threshold of 5%.ResultsA total of 625 (92.32%) students reported being aware of emergency contraception, and 80.32% demonstrated good knowledge of it. In terms of attitudes, 533 (85.28%) students had positive attitudes towards emergency contraception. Among the 625 students who were familiar with emergency contraception, 416 had engaged in sexual intercourse, with 294 (70.67%) having utilized emergency contraception. Factors significantly linked to emergency contraception use included being single (adjusted OR = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1–3.2]), possessing good knowledge (adjusted OR = 3.0 [95% CI: 1.6–5.8]), and having a positive attitude (adjusted OR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.1–4.9]).ConclusionAlthough the students demonstrated good awareness of emergency contraception and its utilization, the high frequency of emergency contraception use underscores the importance of promoting knowledge about conventional contraceptive methods. It is crucial to enhance educational campaigns within universities to mitigate the elevated risk of unsafe abortions.