Publications by authors named "Mukwege D"
[Blood and tears. To stop the cycle of conflict-related sexual violence].
Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol
November 2024
Benefits of simulation on multidisciplinary management of severe pre-eclampsia/severe eclampsia in 15 health districts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: A randomized educational trial.
Int J Gynaecol Obstet
September 2024
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the benefits of simulation for advancing knowledge and assisting healthcare staff in optimization of procedures when managing severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (sPE/E).
Methods: A randomized educational trial was conducted with two groups: Group I received theoretical training, while group II received the same training along with simulation scenarios based on the management of sPE/E. The study involved 199 healthcare providers, including physicians, midwives, skilled birth attendants, and nurses.
Sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo is also described as a weapon of war.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study investigates fertility desires among women who underwent fistula repair in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aiming to identify various determinants influencing these desires, as previous research has been limited.
- - Analyzed data from 1,646 women revealed that a significant portion expressed a desire for children post-repair, with trends showing that factors like age, number of surgeries, and education level impacted these desires differently across various groups.
- - The research concludes that targeted counseling and improved resources are essential to help women with fistula align their reproductive goals, particularly focusing on those with a strong desire for children.
Article Synopsis
- Fetomaternal Rhesus incompatibility occurs when a Rh-negative mother has a Rh-positive fetus, leading to potential health issues for both.
- In a study of 11,898 pregnant women over four years, 37 cases were identified, revealing a prevalence of 0.31%, predominantly affecting urban women aged 21-25.
- The study highlights that 40% of affected newborns developed jaundice, indicating significant maternal health challenges due to possible antibody formation that can harm fetal red blood cells.
Article Synopsis
- Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition with a high recurrence rate post-surgery, especially in low-resource settings, and understanding its risk factors can help in creating prevention strategies.
- This study involved 434 women in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, comparing those with and without prolapse to identify significant risk factors using statistical analysis.
- Key predictors of prolapse included low BMI, home births, family history, lack of episiotomy during births, height ≤150 cm, and having large babies, suggesting that these modifiable factors should be targeted in future prevention efforts.
Background: Sexual violence remains a persistent and devastating issue in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Aim: To elucidate the sociodemographic, sexual, and obstetrical characteristics associated with the experiences of victims of sexual violence (VSV) among women in the region.
Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 625 women from eastern DRC.
Article Synopsis
- The study assesses the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on healthcare workers (HCWs) in central sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the first wave of the pandemic.
- A total of 1029 HCWs were tested for antibody presence against SARS-CoV-2, revealing a significant overall seroprevalence of 33.1%, with higher rates in urban hospitals compared to rural ones.
- The findings suggest that while protective measures were more available in urban settings, the higher COVID-19 exposure outside of work in urban areas likely contributed to the increased seropositivity compared to rural hospitals.
Objective: To evaluate the influence of a new birthing room at a tertiary hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on the caesarean section (CS) rate in women classified as Robson group 1, i.e., nulliparous women at term with spontaneous onset of labour of one foetus in cephalic presentation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction And Hypothesis: Most of the literature on pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has been generated from postmenopausal patients in high-income countries. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a significant proportion of patients who present for surgical management of POP are premenopausal. Little is known about the impact of POP on pelvic floor symptoms in this population.
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- The study aimed to assess the success rate of trial of labor after two cesarean sections (TOLA2C) in a teaching hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2015 to 2020.
- Out of 532 patients, the TOLA2C success rate was 76.1%, with key factors for success including adequate birth spacing, previous vaginal deliveries, and cervical dilation upon arrival.
- The findings suggest that TOLA2C can be successful in low-resource settings with careful patient selection and skilled medical teams, showing low complication rates.
Article Synopsis
- The study focuses on the prevalence of urogenital fistulas among Congolese women after Cesarean sections (CS) due to prolonged obstructed labor and complications arising from those sections.
- Data from 125 patients was analyzed, revealing that 62% of fistulas were linked to obstructed labor and 38% to complications from CS, with younger age and lower parity being significant factors for those with fistulas from obstructed labor.
- The findings highlight the need for thorough maternal assessments upon hospital arrival to reduce unnecessary CS procedures and identify women at high risk for developing fistulas.
Article Synopsis
- * GBV has severe negative effects on survivors, impacting their economic status, social well-being, mental health, and physical health.
- * Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo exemplifies effective care for GBV survivors by offering person-centered and holistic treatment for both conflict-related and non-conflict-related sexual violence.
Background: Few data are available on COVID-19 outcomes among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where high-risk comorbidities are prevalent. We investigated the impact of pregnancy on SARS-CoV-2 infection and of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy to generate evidence for health policy and clinical practice.
Methods: We conducted a 6-country retrospective cohort study among hospitalized women of childbearing age between 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2021.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnancy is associated with excess maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in both African and higher-resource settings. Furthermore, mounting evidence demonstrates the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women and infants. However, national guidelines in many African countries are equivocal or lack recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA growing literature documents the significant barriers to accessing care that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) face. This study focuses on gender-based violence (SGBV), an issue often exacerbated in times of forced displacement, and adds to extant debates by considering the wide range of social connections (pathways and actors) involved in providing care beyond the formal biomedical (and justice) system. This research asks, who do IDPs turn to following SGBV and why? How effective do IDPs perceive these social connections to be? To answer these research questions, the study used 'participatory social mapping' methodology for 31 workshops held with over 200 participants in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2021/2022.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 reveals diverse mutations in circulating Alpha and Delta variants during the first, second, and third waves of COVID-19 in South Kivu, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Int J Infect Dis
September 2022
Objectives: We used whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 to identify variants circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and obtain molecular information useful for diagnosis, improving treatment, and general pandemic control strategies.
Methods: A total of 74 SARS-CoV-2 isolates were sequenced using Oxford Nanopore platforms. Generated reads were processed to obtain consensus genome sequences.
Article Synopsis
- A 35-year-old Congolese woman experienced urinary incontinence and a vaginal tearing sensation due to a genital fistula caused by a lobular capillary hemangioma.
- The condition involved a suburethral vascular bud and progressed to a larger urethro-vesico-vaginal fistula.
- Surgical repair successfully closed the fistula, and the patient regained normal urinary function.
Molecular Evidence of Coinfection with Acute Respiratory Viruses and High Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Patients Presenting Flu-Like Illness in Bukavu City, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol
April 2022
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with clinical manifestation cases that are almost similar to those of common respiratory viral infections. This study determined the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and other acute respiratory viruses among patients with flu-like symptoms in Bukavu city, Democratic Republic of Congo. We screened 1352 individuals with flu-like illnesses seeking treatment in 10 health facilities.
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- - The study aimed to determine the success rate of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) in women at a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo who had a previous cesarean section and waited at least 18 months for their next pregnancy.
- - Out of 231 women who attempted VBAC, 57.6% were successful, with factors like higher Bishop scores and spontaneous labor positively influencing success, while larger babies (macrosomic fetuses) decreased the likelihood of a successful VBAC.
- - The findings suggest that successful VBAC is feasible in more than half of cases, but additional assessments of Bishop scores and labor onset at hospital arrival can help manage risks and improve outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to examine how common urinary incontinence (UI) is among pregnant and postpartum women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and explore related factors.
- - Interviews were conducted with 880 women over two years, revealing a 30.5% prevalence of UI, with higher rates in pregnant women (33.4%) compared to postpartum women (26.5%).
- - Key factors linked to UI included a history of macrosomia (having large babies) and pregnancy status, highlighting the need for better screening and treatment strategies.
Article Synopsis
- - Retroperitoneal hematoma after vaginal delivery is rare but can result in serious health issues for mothers, making diagnosis essential yet challenging due to vague signs and symptoms.
- - A case study describes a 37-year-old woman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who experienced abdominal pain and other symptoms two weeks post-delivery, ultimately leading to the diagnosis of a large retroperitoneal hematoma via ultrasound.
- - Timely recognition and treatment of retroperitoneal hematoma in low-resource settings can improve outcomes, highlighting the importance of awareness among healthcare professionals in these areas.