Viral Hepatitis B and Its Implications for Public Health in DR Congo: A Systematic Review.

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection remains high in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), constituting a public health problem in view of the fatal complications it causes, notably cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the situation of viral hepatitis B in the DRC and in particular its implications for public health. A systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) group guidelines.

Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Are Among the Main Underlying Causes of Death in Twenty Healthcare Facilities Across Two Cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Introduction: The mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes exhibit disparities by region, with Central Africa ranking fourth globally in terms of mortality rate. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) does not possess mortality data pertaining to these specific underlying causes of death. This study aimed to determine the death rate attributable to CVD and diabetes in two cities in the DRC.

Ebola Outbreak Control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Health Security is a major concern for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is the second largest country in Africa, borders nine other countries, has more than 80 million inhabitants, and has suffered from decades of neglect and conflicts together with multiple recurrent disease outbreaks, including Ebola.

Engagement communautaire et prise en compte de la détresse psychologique, de la peur et de la stigmatisation dans la surveillance et la gestion des épidémies de la maladie à virus Ebola dans l'approche « Une seule santé » en République démocratique du Congo.

Introduction Et Objectif: Une réponse efficace aux crises sanitaires telle la maladie à virus Ebola (MVE) nécessite l'engagement des communautés. Cette étude explore les enjeux psychosociaux influant sur la réponse des communautés congolaises aux épidémies de MVE, et comment la détresse et la résilience communautaire s'intègrent dans l'approche « Une seule santé » selon les perceptions des communautés.

MÉthodes: Cette étude de cas qualitative inclut des entretiens individuels ( = 36) avec des informateurs clés et trois groupes de discussion avec des participants ( = 28) issus de diverses associations locales, Cette étude de cas qualitative menée au Nord-Kivu inclut.

Presumed Transmission of 2 Distinct Monkeypox Virus Variants from Central African Republic to Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We linked 4 mpox cases in South Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to transboundary transmission from Central African Republic. Viral genome sequencing demonstrated that the monkeypox virus sequences belonged to distinct clusters of subclade Ia. This finding demonstrates the borderless nature of mpox and highlights the need for vigilant regional surveillance.

Continuous Community Engagement Is Needed to Improve Adherence to Ebola Response Activities and Survivorship During Ebola Outbreaks.

Engaging communities in Ebola preparedness activities between Ebola outbreaks can not only improve community adherence to response interventions but also potentially help to improve survivorship in these communities during future Ebola outbreaks.

Characterizing zero-dose and under-vaccinated children among refugees and internally displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has one of the highest numbers of un and under-vaccinated children as well as number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world. This study aims to determine and compare the proportion and characteristics of zero-dose (ZD) and under-vaccinated (UV) children among refugees and IDPs in the DRC, as well as the reasons for incomplete vaccination schedules.

Methods: Data from a rolling vaccination coverage survey conducted from September 10, 2022, to July 03, 2023, among refugees and IDPs in 12 provinces of the DRC.

Reasons for Being "Zero-Dose and Under-Vaccinated" among Children Aged 12-23 Months in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

(1) Introduction: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has one of the largest cohorts of un- and under-vaccinated children worldwide. This study aimed to identify and compare the main reasons for there being zero-dose (ZD) or under-vaccinated children in the DRC. (2) Methods: This is a secondary analysis derived from a province-level vaccination coverage survey conducted between November 2021 and February 2022; this survey included questions about the reasons for not receiving one or more vaccines.

"Zero Dose" Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: How Many and Who Are They?

(1) Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the countries with the highest number of never vaccinated or "zero-dose" (ZD) children in the world. This study was conducted to examine the proportion of ZD children and associated factors in the DRC. (2) Methods: Child and household data from a provincial-level vaccination coverage survey conducted between November 2021-February 2021 and 2022 were used.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and response on the utilisation of health services in public facilities during the first wave in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Introduction: Health service use among the public can decline during outbreaks and had been predicted among low and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) started implementing public health measures across Kinshasa, including strict lockdown measures in the Gombe health zone.

Methods: Using monthly time series data from the DRC Health Management Information System (January 2018 to December 2020) and interrupted time series with mixed effects segmented Poisson regression models, we evaluated the impact of the pandemic on the use of essential health services (outpatient visits, maternal health, vaccinations, visits for common infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases) during the first wave of the pandemic in Kinshasa.

High Prevalence and Diversity of Hepatitis Viruses in Suspected Cases of Yellow Fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The majority of patients with acute febrile jaundice (>95%) identified through a yellow fever surveillance program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) test negative for antibodies against yellow fever virus. However, no etiological investigation has ever been carried out on these patients. Here, we tested for hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis D (HDV), and hepatitis E (HEV) viruses, all of which can cause acute febrile jaundice, in patients included in the yellow fever surveillance program in the DRC.