IntroductionLa drépanocytose est très fréquente en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). Cette étude évalue le niveau de connaissance et les comportements de familles concernées ainsi que l’impact de cette maladie dans leur quotidien.MéthodesC’est une étude transversale, sur un échantillon non aléatoire, menée du 15 juin au 15 août 2015 auprès de 50 familles concernées par la drépanocytose à Mbujimayi en RDC.RésultatsSur 50 familles étudiées, 22 familles avaient plus d’un enfant drépanocytaire. L’âge médian au diagnostic était de 1 an. Le diagnostic était clinique dans 42% (21) des cas. Chaque premier enfant drépanocytaire faisait en moyenne annuellement 3 crises douloureuses, 4 épisodes de fièvre, recevait 2 transfusions sanguines et était hospitalisé 3 fois. 62% (31) des familles n’avaient pas un revenu mensuel suffisant pour la prise en charge de leur(s) enfant(s), 96% (48) des familles souhaite la création d’un centre de référence de prise en charge et 94% (47) acceptent de s’y abonner si le montant annuel est inférieur à 100$.ConclusionLe niveau des connaissances dans les familles concernées par la drépanocytose à Mbujimayi est faible. La création d’un centre de référence et la possibilité d’un montant fixe annuel pour la prise en charge des patients est une stratégie qui peut être mise en œuvre à Mbujimayi afin d’améliorer la prise en charge des enfants la drépanocytaires.
Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While reference sickle cell centers have been implemented in capital cities of African countries and have proven to be beneficial for SCD patients. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, they have never been set up in remote areas for families with low or very low sources of income. Method A cohort of 143 children with SCD aged 10 years old (IQR (interquartile range): 6–15 years) (sex ratio male/female = 1.3) were clinically followed for 12 months without any specific intervention aside from the management of acute events, and then for 12 months with a monthly medical visit, biological follow-up, and chemoprophylaxis (folic acid/penicillin), adequate fluids and malaria prevention. Results The median age of patients at the diagnosis of SCD was 2 years (IQR: 1–5). The implementation of standardized and regular follow-ups in a new sickle cell reference center in a remote city showed an increase in the annual mean hemoglobin level from 50 to 70 g/L (p = 0.001), and a decrease in the lymphocyte count and spleen size (p < 0.001). A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the average annual number of hospitalizations and episodes of vaso-occlusive crises, blood transfusions, infections, and acute chest syndromes were also observed. Conclusions The creation of a sickle cell reference center and the regular follow-up of children with sickle cell disease are possible and applicable in the context of a remote city of an African country and represent simple and accessible measures that can reduce the morbimortality of children with sickle cell disease.
Background: Sickle cell disease is a major public health issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but it is still poorly understood by health professionals. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices of Congolese physicians treating sickle cell disease (SCD), in order to identify the areas for improvement in clinical care. Methods: This was a descriptive observational study conducted among Congolese physicians using a questionnaire. Participants were evaluated using a pre-established answer grid. Results: A total of 460 physicians participated, including 81 women (18%), with an average age of 35 years (range 25–60 years). Most physicians were general practitioners. Although self-assessment of their level of knowledge on SCD was estimated as average to good, less than half of the participants (n = 460; 46%) reported adequate management of vaso-occlusive crises, and only 1% of them had received specific training on SCD. Most physicians reported difficulties both in terms of diagnostic (65%) and management (79%) options of SCD patients. This study also showed that 85% of these physicians did not have access to the diagnostic tools for SCD. Conclusions: Insufficient knowledge on SCD and poor diagnostic and treatment options might contribute to increased morbidity and mortality of patients living in the DRC. Interventions aiming to improve physicians’ knowledge, patient follow-up, and treatment access are needed. Specific training alongside existing programs (HIV, malaria), early diagnosis of the disease, and the creation of patient advocacy groups should be implemented to improve SCD patient care.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly spreading across the world. In Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 11 out of 26 provinces have been affected on 19 June 2020. The purpose of this study was to assess the public views, attitudes and beliefs related to the COVID-19 pandemic among the population of an unaffected city.Methods: This is a descriptive observational study conducted in an unaffected city using a questionnaire. Findings: A total of 769 people participated. The average age was 36 ±14 years. The sex ratio (male: female) was 1.6. The majority of respondents (97%) is aware of the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is well informed about the signs of the disease, its severity and barrier measures, however few of them have adopted the change in habit and behavior in respect of the barrier measures. Lack of water for handwashing is the most common difficulty in complying with barrier measures (71%). The COVID-19 is considered as an artificial virus designed to reduce the world population by 26%, God’s punishment (22%). Only 36% of the participants are in favor of vaccination against COVID-19. Vaccine is, a western conspiracy to spread COVID-19 in Africa (38%), testing it on Africans (35%), sterilize Africans’ people (12%).Conclusions: Cities not yet affected by COVID-19 in DRC are aware of the existence of the disease, but insufficiently prepared to deal with it. It is important to increase awareness on barrier measures, combating false information, and improving regular water supply for regular handwashing.
Background Sickle cell disease and oculocutaneous albinism are rare autosomal recessive disorders both related to mutations on chromosome 11. The diagnosis of patients suffering from both pathologies is necessary to enable dedicated monitoring of any complications at the ophthalmic and skin level. However, few cases are described in the literature. Case presentation A 14-month-old Congolese male child affected by oculocutaneous albinism, presented with pallor and jaundice. Blood indices revealed severe hemolytic anemia, which led to the diagnosis of sickle cell disease. The patient received a blood transfusion and close follow-up. Conclusions The co-inheritance of sickle cell disease and oculocutaneous albinism is a reality in the Democratic Republic of Congo, although it is rarely described. Given the current state of our knowledge, specific surveillance, specifically regarding cutaneous and ophthalmological complications, should be offered in this particular population. To enable this dedicated follow-up, sensitization to screening for sickle cell anemia in albino individuals should be carried out.
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