Clinical characteristics of suspected cases of human mpox (monkeypox) in Katako-Kombe, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2023: challenges and key responses.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of suspected cases of human mpox in one of the most affected health zones, Katako-Kombe, Sankuru Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also, to identify key challenges to prevent and improve the health of the affected community.

Methods: Between January 26, 2023 and November 30, 2023, the DRC reported its highest incidence of mpox cases,with a total of 12,569 suspected cases in 156 health zones from 22 of the 26 country's provinces.

Determinants of Positive Evolution of Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during the COVID-19 Lockdown in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (DRC).

Lockdown imposed by the COVID 19 pandemic increased the time families spent together at home. A negative impact of the lock-down on children with autism has been reported. Few studies described the positive impact of parents' presence on the severity of their children's autism symptoms during lockdown.

Evolving partnership: A National Center for Global Health and Medicine Resilient Training Model for clinical research professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The clinical trial industry has encountered challenging circumstances in which the increasing number of trials outpaces the number of trial specialists. For instance, there has been an unprecedented demand for clinical trials following the Covid-19 pandemic, which has worsened the global shortage of qualified personnel. It is therefore imperative to produce more qualified clinical trial professionals.

Knowledge, attitude, perception, and factors associated with the risk perception of COVID-19 among nursing college students in Japanese universities: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the world has brought different attitudes and perceptions among social strata. Nursing students being future first-line healthcare workers are more at risk of being infected and exposed to various stressors from shared information. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perception of COVID-19 among nursing students and to estimate predictors of their risk perception.

Boosting multiregional clinical trials (MRCT) in Asia through the establishment of the Japan-led network for clinical research, the ARO alliance for ASEAN & East Asia (ARISE).

There is an increasing demand for clinical research, and this demand has particularly increased during the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic. In the light of these events, fostering international cooperation has become essential. The ARO Alliance for ASEAN & East Asia (ARISE) is a Japan-led international network for clinical research in Asia that was established to encourage and facilitate multiregional clinical trials.

Gestational weight gain mediates the effects of energy intake on birth weight among singleton pregnancies in the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Background: Extra energy intake is commonly recommended for pregnant women to support fetal growth. However, relevant data regarding variations in energy intake and expenditure, body mass index and gestational weight gain (GWG) are frequently not considered. This study aimed to investigate how energy intake during pregnancy and gestational weight gain (GWG) are associated with birth weight.

Exogenous oxytocin used to induce labor has no long-term adverse effect on maternal-infant bonding: Findings from the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Background: This study investigated the association between exogenous oxytocin use for labor induction and adverse maternal-infant bonding (MIB).

Methods: Data on 19 700 mother-infant pairs were collected, in which the infants were live-birth singletons, born in cephalic position and at >37 weeks of gestation; the drug used to induce labor was noted. Between 2011 and 2014, Japanese pregnant women were enrolled in a nationwide prospective birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards menopause among Congolese middle-aged and postmenopausal women.

Introduction: with the increase in life expectancy, women will live longer during their postmenopausal period. To improve their quality of life, they should be aware of what challenges they will be facing. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of middle-aged women towards menopause.

Malaria rapid diagnostic test (HRP2/pLDH) positivity, incidence, care accessibility and impact of community WASH Action programme in DR Congo: mixed method study involving 625 households.

Background: Malaria is one of the most prevalent and deadliest illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite recent gains made towards its control, many African countries still have endemic malaria transmission. This study aimed to assess malaria burden at household level in Kongo central province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the impact of community participatory Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Action programme.

Association between nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and postpartum depression: the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Objective: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a global emotional distress that affects women and their offspring regardless of their culture. The association between nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) and PPD has been widely described only for the severe form of NVP. We aimed to assess the relationship between PPD and NVP with regards to its severity.

Verbal abuse during pregnancy increases frequency of newborn hearing screening referral: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Background: Verbal abuse during pregnancy has a greater impact than physical and sexual violence on the incidence of postnatal depression and maternal abuse behavior towards their children. In addition, exposure of children (aged 12 months to adolescence) to verbal abuse from their parents exerts an adverse impact to the children's auditory function. However, the effect of verbal abuse during pregnancy on fetal auditory function has not yet been thoroughly investigated.

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Congolese cement workers exposed to cement dust, in Kongo Central Province.

Chronic exposure to cement dust may induce adverse health effects, including a significant decrease in lung function. The study investigated whether the prevalence of COPD and respiratory symptoms was associated with working at different tasks exposed to varying levels of cement dust. The cross-sectional study was carried out among 223 exposed and 156 less exposed workers from two cement factories from November 20 to December 15, 2016 in DRC.

Occupation exposed to road-traffic emissions and respiratory health among Congolese transit workers, particularly bus conductors, in Kinshasa: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Road-traffic emissions (RTE) induce adverse health effects, notably respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases, as a result of pollutants deposited into the respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between occupation groups of Congolese transit workers exposed to RTE, particularly bus conductors and respiratory health, in Kinshasa.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2015 April 20 to May 14, whose participants were bus conductors (n = 110), bus drivers (n = 107), taxi-motorcyclists (n = 102) and high school teachers (control group; n = 106).

Preconception gynecological risk factors of postpartum depression among Japanese women: The Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).

Background: Postpartum depression is one of the major causes of disability among women who are on their childbearing years. Identifying people at risk of postpartum depression may improve its management. The objective of this study was to determine the probable association between postpartum depression and some preconception gynecological morbidities.