Effect of a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program on Handwashing with a Cleansing Agent among Diarrhea Patients and Attendants in Healthcare Facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Randomized Pilot of the PICHA7 Program.

Healthcare-acquired infections are a major problem in healthcare facility settings around the world. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has over 2 million diarrhea patients hospitalized each year. These healthcare settings become high-risk environments for spreading diarrheal illnesses such as cholera.

A Qualitative Evaluation of COVID-19 Preventative Response Activities in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Objective: In this evaluation of COVID-19 preventative response programs in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), we aimed to explore community understandings of COVID-19, assess operational successes and challenges of COVID response activities, and identify barriers to practicing COVID-19 preventative behaviors.

Methods: Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted from April to September 2021 in South Kivu, DRC, with community members ( = 16) and programmatic stakeholders ( = 15) (healthcare providers, government officials, and developmental and NGO staff engaged in COVID-19 response).

Findings: Most community members were aware of COVID-19 and its global burden, but few were aware of local transmission in their area.

Methods to Evaluate COVID-19 Preventive Hygiene Programs: Observed Mask Wearing, Handwashing, and Physical Distancing Behaviors in Public Indoor Spaces in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The objective of our study was to develop and test observational methods to evaluate COVID-19 preventive hygiene behaviors and physical distancing, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a government mandate on indoor fully covered mask wearing. An observational study was conducted of 4,736 individuals from April to October 2021 using 5-hour and rapid (10-minute) structured observations and spot checks to evaluate mask-wearing, handwashing, and physical-distancing behaviors, and the functionality of handwashing stations in 161 indoor public spaces across Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Sixteen percent of individuals entering indoor public spaces were wearing a mask that fully covered their nose and mouth (fully covered mask wearing).