IntroductionThe burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the largest increase occurs in Africa. Obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension (ODH) are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, causing nearly 18 million deaths worldwide. Various risks associated with mining as an occupational activity are implicated in NCDs' occurrence. This study describes the baseline prevalence of ODH and associated risk factors in the workforce of Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), in southern Democratic Republic of Congo.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 2,749 employees' and contractor's occupational health examination files for 2010. Socio-demographic, occupational, medical, anthropometric and behavioral characteristics were collected and assessed. Disease status regards ODH was based on WHO criteria. A multivariate logistic regression model was used.ResultsOverall prevalence of ODH was 4.5%, 11.7%, and 18.2% respectively. Proportions of pre-ODH individuals were 19.7%, 16.5%, and 47.8% respectively. Prevalence of ODH increased with age, professional grade, nature of work, gender and reported alcohol use. Smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day increased risk of diabetes and hypertension, while decreasing obesity.ConclusionRates of ODH and associated risk factors are higher in the TFM workforce, than in the general DRC population. This is likely reflective of other mining sites in the country and region. It is evident that ODH are associated with various socio-demographic, occupational, anthropometric, biomedical and behavioral risk factors. A NCD prevention program and close monitoring of disease and risk factors trends are needed in this population.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the functionality of health systems and world affairs. We assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 23 referral hospitals located in three towns of the DRC (Lubumbashi, Kamina, Mbuji-Mayi). In total, 613 HCWs were surveyed using the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) “Exposure Risk Assessment in the Context of COVID-19” questionnaire. Participants included medical doctors (27.2%) and other categories of HCWs (72.8%). The mean age was 40.3 ± 11.7 years. Over 80% (range: 83–96%) of respondents had sufficient knowledge on each of the three domains: COVID-19 symptoms, disease transmission, and patient care approach. However, attitudes and practices scores were relatively low. Only 27.7% of HCWs were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available, whereas 55% of HCWs complied with good practices; 49.4% wore masks consistently and, surprisingly, only 54.9% used personal protective equipment (PPE) consistently at work and during contact with patients. Knowledge level was positively associated with the use of social media as a primary source of COVID-19-related information and the category of residence, with HCWs from towns already affected by the COVID-19 epidemic being more likely to have positive attitudes (adjusted OR, 1.64; 95%CI, 1.32–2.20) and comply with good practices (aOR, 2.79; 95%CI, 1.93-4.06). This study showed that most Congolese HCWs had sufficient knowledge on COVID-19, whereas the majority did not comply with consistent PPE use. The government of the DRC should urgently take major steps in capacity building for HCWs in outbreak preparedness and supplying hospitals with PPE.

Les fistules obstétricales constituent un problème majeur de Santé Publique dans les pays pauvres. L’objectif de ce travail est de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques des fistules obstétricales dans la province du Haut-Katanga, République Démocratique du Congo. L’étude est transversale descriptive, portant sur 242 patientes souffrant de la fistule obstétricale dans la province du Haut-Katanga durant la période allant de Septembre 2009 à Décembre 2013. Les paramètres étudiés étaient les données sociodémographiques maternelles, les paramètres obstétricaux et néonatals, les caractéristiques spécifiques de la fistule ainsi que les modalités et l’issue de la prise en charge. Les variables ont été analysées sur logiciel Epi-info version 7.1. Des 242 cas de fistules, 229 patientes ont accouché par voie basse soit 95% d’entre elles et 74,6% à domicile. Le nouveau-né était décédé en période périnatale dans 93,4% des accouchements. L’âge moyen des patientes était de 27,9±10,3 ans. Environ une patiente sur six avait moins de 20 ans et dans l’ensemble près d’une patiente sur 2 avait moins de 25 ans. 7 patientes sur 10 avaient une parité inférieure à 3 et la parité moyenne était de 2,5±2,0. Nonante pourcent des cas avaient un niveau d’études bas et 95% vivaient seules. La fistule avait en moyenne plus de 4,7±4,4 ans d’âge, était vésico-vaginale (96%), de type 2-3 (37%) et réparée par voie vaginale (67%). Le taux d’échecs était de 14%. La fistule obstétricale constitue un réel problème de Santé Publique dans notre milieu et mérite une réflexion profonde pour son éradication.

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