The effect of a mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets on insecticide resistance and entomological inoculation rates of . in Bandundu City, Democratic Repub`lic of Congo.

Introduction: insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) remain the mainstay of malaria vector control in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, insecticide resistance of malaria vectors threatens their effectiveness. Entomological inoculation rates and insecticide susceptibility in Anopheles gambiae s.

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum isolates lacking the histidine rich protein 2 gene among symptomatic malaria patients in Kwilu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: Malaria rapid diagnostic tests have become a primary and critical tool for malaria diagnosis in malaria-endemic countries where Plasmodium falciparum Histidine Rich Protein 2-based rapid diagnostic tests (PfHRP2-based RDTs) are widely used. However, in the last decade, the accuracy of PfHRP2-based RDTs has been challenged by the emergence of P. falciparum strains harbouring deletions of the P.

Analysis of false-negative rapid diagnostic tests for symptomatic malaria in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The majority of Plasmodium falciparum malaria diagnoses in Africa are made using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect histidine-rich protein 2. Increasing reports of false-negative RDT results due to parasites with deletions of the pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes (pfhrp2/3) raise concern about existing malaria diagnostic strategies. We previously identified pfhrp2-negative parasites among asymptomatic children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but their impact on diagnosis of symptomatic malaria is unknown.

Variation of physical durability between LLIN products and net use environments: summary of findings from four African countries.

Background: Physical durability of long-lasting-insecticidal nets (LLIN) is an important aspect of the effectiveness of LLIN as a malaria prevention tool, but there is limited data on performance across locations and products. This secondary analysis of data from the VectorWorks project from 10 sites in four African countries involving six LLIN brands provides such data.

Methods: A total of 4672 campaign nets from 1976 households were recruited into prospective cohort studies 2-6 months after distribution through campaigns and followed for 3 years in Mozambique, Nigeria, DRC and Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Correlation of textile 'resistance to damage' scores with actual physical survival of long-lasting insecticidal nets in the field.

Background: Attempts have been made to link procurement of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) not only to the price but also the expected performance of the product. However, to date it has not been possible to identify a specific textile characteristic that predicts physical durability in the field. The recently developed resistance to damage (RD) score could provide such a metric.

Comparing the durability of the long-lasting insecticidal nets DawaPlus 2.0 and DuraNet© in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: Anecdotal reports from DRC suggest that long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) distributed through mass campaigns in DRC may not last the expected average three years. To provide the National Malaria Control Programme with evidence on physical and insecticidal durability of nets distributed during the 2016 mass campaign, two brands of LLIN, DawaPlus 2.0 and DuraNet©, were monitored in neighbouring and similar health zones in Sud Ubangi and Mongala Provinces.

Factors Associated with Postpartum Health Problems among Married Women of Reproductive Age in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Cross-sectional Study in Kenge City.

Maternal mortality is attracting attention worldwide, but maternal health problems after delivery have received less attention. Most studies focus on prenatal maternal health problems. We aimed to identify factors associated with postpartum health problems among married women of reproductive age in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Analysis of severe adverse effects following community-based ivermectin treatment in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: The progress of mass, community-directed, treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) for onchocerciasis control was disrupted by severe adverse effects (SAE) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The study aimed at determining the frequency of post-CDTI SAE as well as factors associated with the occurrence of SAE.

Methods: Our retrospective study relied on SAE collection cards, as archived by the DRC Ministry of Health, and compiled for people who benefited from ivermectin treatment then further developed SAE.

Community Participation in and Perception of Community-Directed Treatment with Ivermectin in Kinshasa, DRC.

The success of community-directed treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) depends on active community participation. We conducted a case study nested in a cross-sectional study in the Binza Ozone Health Zone (ZS) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in order to investigate community's knowledges and perceptions of onchocerciasis and on all CDTI's aspects. We interviewed 106 people aged 20 and over, purposively selected, through eight individual interviews and 12 focus groups.

Review of the National Program for Onchocerciasis Control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Here, we review all data available at the Ministry of Public Health in order to describe the history of the National Program for Onchocerciasis Control (NPOC) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Discovered in 1903, the disease is endemic in all provinces. Ivermectin was introduced in 1987 as clinical treatment, then as mass treatment in 1989.

Effects of improved sanitation on diarrheal reduction for children under five in Idiofa, DR Congo: a cluster randomized trial.

Background: The lack of safe water and sanitation contributes to the rampancy of diarrhea in many developing countries.

Methods: This study describes the design of a cluster-randomized trial in Idiofa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, seeking evidence of the impact of improved sanitation on diarrhea for children under four. Of the 276 quartiers, 18 quartiers were randomly allocated to the intervention or control arm.

Associations between Household Latrines and the Prevalence of Diarrhea in Idiofa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Despite the importance of sanitation, few studies have assessed the effects of latrines on the health outcomes of children under 5 years of age. We assessed the relations between latrine coverage and the prevalence of diarrhea in children under 4 years of age. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the baseline data obtained as part of a longitudinal survey targeting 720 households in Idiofa, Bandundu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Analysis of Insecticide-Treated Net Use by Pregnant Women: Implications for Donor Organizations.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) for the prevention of malaria and reduction of mortality and morbidity from mosquito-borne diseases. Although many countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, have adopted this recommendation and distributed bed nets to their inhabitants, the percentage of the population using ITNs remains low.

Methods: This study was conducted with 400 mothers with at least one child under 5 years of age in health zones in the Bandundu province.