<strong>Introduction:</strong> Noise, an undesirable sound which is found in all areas of occupational activity, is still a matter of concern given the damage it causes. Various machines and tools, from si...<strong>Introduction:</strong> Noise, an undesirable sound which is found in all areas of occupational activity, is still a matter of concern given the damage it causes. Various machines and tools, from simple to sophisticated ones, produce several types of noise in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of occupational hearing loss among informal sector welders in the city of Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. <strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted among 122 informal sector welders over a period of five months. The study used an anonymous questionnaire on noise exposure in the workplace and collected audio-metric data of welders. The survey collected data on welders who had a minimal three-year duration of employment without the morbidity associated with the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) region. Socio-professional data (age, duration of employment, sex, education), noise exposure, awareness of hazards and audiometric data were taken into account. <strong>Results:</strong> 122 questionnaires were completed by male subjects, or 100% (n = 122). The mean age of welders was 36.37 ± 11.91 years with extremes being 20 and 63 years. The mean duration of employment was 11.51 ± 9.6 years with extremes being 3 and 44 years. Audiometric data have shown 37.96% (n = 41) of occupational hearing loss. Three degrees of hearing loss were recorded, notably mild hearing loss standing at 80.49% (n = 33);moderate and severe hearing loss standing at 2.44% (n = 1). Ninety-six percent (n = 117) of welders reported not using personal protective equipment (PPE) and 1% (n = 111) were aware of the hazard associated with noise exposure in the workplace. A correlation was found between welders with an advanced age (p < 0.001;RP = 3.66 (2.16 - 6.22)) and hearing loss, and between the duration of employment and hearing loss (p < 0.001;RP = 6.48 (3.32 - 12.65)). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the study area, occupational hearing loss among welders is a relevant fact. Three degrees of hearing loss were identified. Most of those suffering from it have developed a mild type of hearing loss whose continued development can be stopped. Despite the fact that welders are aware of the hazards associated with noise exposure in the workplace, they hardly protect themselves. Lack of a culture of prevention and poor enforcement of the existing laws could account for such a situation. There seems to be a crucial need to put in place a program for protecting the welders’ auditory organs in the workplace.展开更多
Introduction: Rabies, a neglected disease, could be grossly underreported in the DRC;in the absence of post-exposure prophylaxis, the WHO estimates that this disease would cause 327,000 deaths per year in Africa and A...Introduction: Rabies, a neglected disease, could be grossly underreported in the DRC;in the absence of post-exposure prophylaxis, the WHO estimates that this disease would cause 327,000 deaths per year in Africa and Asia. The objective of this study is to determine the epidemiological profile of this zoonosis in order to encourage decision-makers to develop national strategies for its elimination. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data collection was done retrospectively and in total6 420 victims of bites received during the period between January 2005 and December 2015 at the anti-rabies center in Lubumbashi were included in this work. Excel 13 software and Epi info 3.3.4 were used for data analysis and interpretation. Results: People over the age of 15 are the main victims of canine bites (62.1%), more than half of the victims are male (55.9%);dogs represent the majority of biting animals (96.4%) of which around 3/4 are unvaccinated (71.37%). Two municipalities are more affected: Lubumbashi (prevalence 83.35/100,000 and Kampemba (Prevalence 51.74/100,000). LBite peaks were observed from July to October (p = 0.01). For the 34 people seen with clinical signs of rabies encephalitis (confirmed case of rabies), the case fatality rate was 100%. Conclusion: Rabies is a major problem in Lubumbashi but its extent is different depending on the municipality. The dog is the main biting animal and the vaccination coverage of dogs remains very low. Access to rabies vaccine for bite victims is difficult. Its elimination remains possible through the implementation of an extensive canine vaccination program, the awareness of owners and the large-scale provision of post-exposure prophylaxis.展开更多
文摘<strong>Introduction:</strong> Noise, an undesirable sound which is found in all areas of occupational activity, is still a matter of concern given the damage it causes. Various machines and tools, from simple to sophisticated ones, produce several types of noise in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of occupational hearing loss among informal sector welders in the city of Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. <strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted among 122 informal sector welders over a period of five months. The study used an anonymous questionnaire on noise exposure in the workplace and collected audio-metric data of welders. The survey collected data on welders who had a minimal three-year duration of employment without the morbidity associated with the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) region. Socio-professional data (age, duration of employment, sex, education), noise exposure, awareness of hazards and audiometric data were taken into account. <strong>Results:</strong> 122 questionnaires were completed by male subjects, or 100% (n = 122). The mean age of welders was 36.37 ± 11.91 years with extremes being 20 and 63 years. The mean duration of employment was 11.51 ± 9.6 years with extremes being 3 and 44 years. Audiometric data have shown 37.96% (n = 41) of occupational hearing loss. Three degrees of hearing loss were recorded, notably mild hearing loss standing at 80.49% (n = 33);moderate and severe hearing loss standing at 2.44% (n = 1). Ninety-six percent (n = 117) of welders reported not using personal protective equipment (PPE) and 1% (n = 111) were aware of the hazard associated with noise exposure in the workplace. A correlation was found between welders with an advanced age (p < 0.001;RP = 3.66 (2.16 - 6.22)) and hearing loss, and between the duration of employment and hearing loss (p < 0.001;RP = 6.48 (3.32 - 12.65)). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the study area, occupational hearing loss among welders is a relevant fact. Three degrees of hearing loss were identified. Most of those suffering from it have developed a mild type of hearing loss whose continued development can be stopped. Despite the fact that welders are aware of the hazards associated with noise exposure in the workplace, they hardly protect themselves. Lack of a culture of prevention and poor enforcement of the existing laws could account for such a situation. There seems to be a crucial need to put in place a program for protecting the welders’ auditory organs in the workplace.
文摘Introduction: Rabies, a neglected disease, could be grossly underreported in the DRC;in the absence of post-exposure prophylaxis, the WHO estimates that this disease would cause 327,000 deaths per year in Africa and Asia. The objective of this study is to determine the epidemiological profile of this zoonosis in order to encourage decision-makers to develop national strategies for its elimination. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data collection was done retrospectively and in total6 420 victims of bites received during the period between January 2005 and December 2015 at the anti-rabies center in Lubumbashi were included in this work. Excel 13 software and Epi info 3.3.4 were used for data analysis and interpretation. Results: People over the age of 15 are the main victims of canine bites (62.1%), more than half of the victims are male (55.9%);dogs represent the majority of biting animals (96.4%) of which around 3/4 are unvaccinated (71.37%). Two municipalities are more affected: Lubumbashi (prevalence 83.35/100,000 and Kampemba (Prevalence 51.74/100,000). LBite peaks were observed from July to October (p = 0.01). For the 34 people seen with clinical signs of rabies encephalitis (confirmed case of rabies), the case fatality rate was 100%. Conclusion: Rabies is a major problem in Lubumbashi but its extent is different depending on the municipality. The dog is the main biting animal and the vaccination coverage of dogs remains very low. Access to rabies vaccine for bite victims is difficult. Its elimination remains possible through the implementation of an extensive canine vaccination program, the awareness of owners and the large-scale provision of post-exposure prophylaxis.
