Predictors of Non-Adherence to Public Health Instructions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background: Adherence to public health instructions for the COVID-19 is important for controlling the transmission and the pandemic's health and economic impacts. The aim of this study was to determine the associated factors of non-adherence to public health and social measures instructions.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 1913 participants in two provinces of DRC, Mbuji-Mayi, and Kamina.

Silicosis in underground miners in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo: 27 cases.

Silicosis is one of the most prevalent occupational lung diseases and a public health problem throughout the world. Underground miners of copper and cobalt are exposed to the dust of these minerals and thus to the risk of developing silicosis. The objective of this report was to describe a series of silicosis cases in miners exposed to mineral dusts at a mining company operating since the colonial era in Lubumbashi, Katanga province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Sustainability of artisanal mining of cobalt in DR Congo.

The sustainability of cobalt is an important emerging issue because this critical base metal is an essential component of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. More than half the world's cobalt mine production comes from the Katanga Copperbelt in DR Congo, with a substantial proportion (estimated at 15-20%) being extracted by artisanal miners. Here we show, in a case study performed in the town of Kolwezi, that people living in a neighbourhood that had been transformed into an artisanal cobalt mine, had much higher levels of cobalt in urine and blood than people living in a nearby control area.

Pediatric pleural empyema: one of the management challenges in children of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Empyema is a serious complication characterized by purulent exudate and bacteria in the pleural space, which may progress to necrosis, cavitations or fistulas in the thoracic cavity. It remains a major challenge throughout low-income countries. Objectives were to emphasize the role of basic medical and radiologic approach and to resolve a severe lung complication when facilities are inadequate.

Risk factors for low birth weight in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) in the city of Lubumbashi (DR Congo). This case-control study of singleton births took place from July to December 2014 in 3 referral maternity units in Lubumbashi. The mothers' social and demographic characteristics and medical and obstetric history, especially during this pregnancy, as well as the newborns' sex were compared between the case group (< 2500 g) and the control group.

Health-seeking behaviour in the city of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo: results from a cross-sectional household survey.

Background: Concerns about the occurrence of disease among household members generally initiate treatment-seeking actions. This study aims to identify the various treatment-seeking options of patients in Lubumbashi, analyze their health-seeking behaviour, identify determinants for the use of formal care, and analyze direct health care expenditure.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of households in Lubumbashi was conducted in July 2010.