Preliminary Study on Counterfeiting of Artemether and Artesunate Marketed in Lubumbashi

Pharmaceutical counterfeiting is a health scourge responsible for several cases of morbidity and mortality. Counterfeit medicines cause therapeutic failure, emergence of resistance in the treatment of infections. This study was conducted in order to identify counterfeit and authentic medicines in circulation in Lubumbashi. The study included artemether and artesunate for oral administration. A careful visual inspection of medicine, investigation of authenticity of pharmaceutical products from manufacturers and pharmaceutical regulatory authorities and determination of content were used as study parameters. 52 samples: 37 artemether and 15 of artésunate were collected. 7 samples (13%) have proven to be counterfeit. Artemether was the most counterfeit (71%) and 29% for artesunate. 6 (12%) samples were substandard according to the international pharmacopoeia in terms of content of active ingredient. Sixty-seven percent of non-compliance concerned counterfeit medicines. The proportion of non-compliance is highest among counterfeit medicines (71.43% vs 2.22%;p = 0.000004). It is obvious that strengthening the capacity of the drug regulatory authority of the DRC reduces the influx of counterfeit drug and substandard.

State of the Places of Senile Dementia in the Old Hospice of the City of Lubumbashi

The objective of this study was to describe the state of the scene of senile dementia in an intra-institutional environment in the city of Lubumbashi. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study, over a period of three months, from February 20 to May 20, 2016. The study population is made up of the residents of the 9 retirement institutions for senior citizens (old people’s home) which counts the city of Lubumbashi. Participation was voluntary with informed consent duly signed by the patient. The probable cases of dementia were detected through the CSI-D and the 5-word test. A predominance of Alzheimer’s was noted (76.92%) and most of them were widowed (69.23%). The mean age of the dementia population was 76.46 ± 9.87 years, while (69.23%) of the patients were out of school. In (23.08%) cases demented patients were male, with a sex ratio of 0.3. Nearly (46.15%) of the demented were drinking. It appears that (69.23%) of the dementias were hypertensive. There are associations between different risk factors and the presence of dementias. Alcohol with an OR (Odd Ratio) = 0.08 (95% CI [0.01 - 0.72], p < 0.05). In our environment, our results indicate a different situation with a much higher prevalence.

Quality Control of Juices Produced in Democratic Republic of Congo and Marketed in Lubumbashi

The consumption of juice has increased sharply in recent years in Lubumbashi. The objective of this study was to determine the standards applicable to the types of juice for domestic consumption in Lubumbashi. A descriptive cross-sectional study on quality control (QC) of ten brands of juice selected from around thirty listed on the Lubumbashi markets focused on the determination of different physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. Physical analysis of the juices was carried out in the laboratory of the Congolese Office of Control (OCC) in February 2019. It appears that five samples, or 25%, have a density lower than the ISO 9001 standard. All the samples have a Brix Degree in accordance with French standards applicable by the Congolese control office. The chemical analysis shows that 4 samples, or 20%, have a pH 4, therefore higher than the prescribed standards. As for the titratable acidity and the formaldehyde index, all the samples have values within normal limits. On the other hand, the glucose level of all the samples is abnormally high (≥40 g/L). The sucrose level of 50% of the samples is normal (≥80 g/L). Microbiological analysis revealed that certain juices were without preservatives and harbored aerobic mesophilic germs (10%), lactic bacteria (20%) yeasts and molds (10%). It is urgent that the public authorities bring all the producers to respect the standards in order to protect the health of the populations.

Occupational Hearing Hazards among Informal Sector Welders in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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)). Conclusion: 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.

Assessment of Trace Metal Levels of Groundwater in Lubumbashi,Kampemba and Kamalondo Communes of Lubumbashi City,Democratic Republic of Congo

Trace metal levels of groundwater in Lubumbashi,Kampemba and Kamalondo communes of Lubumbashi city were assessed from October 2016 to February 2017.Two hundred forty water samples collected from twenty-two spade-sunk wells and twelve drilled wells in these three communes of Lubumbashi city were analyzed for their metal contents using ICP-SF-MS(Inductively Coupled Plasma-Sector Field Mass Spectrometry).Twenty trace elements including strontium,molybdenum,cadmium,cesium,barium,tungsten,thallium,lead,bismuth,uranium,aluminum,vanadium,chromium,manganese,iron,cobalt,nickel,copper,zinc and arsenic were recorded at varying concentrations in all the water samples and were compared with the WHO(World Health Organization),US EPA(Environmental Protection Agency)and EU(European Union)drinking water MCLs(Maximum Concentration Limits)for cadmium,barium,thallium,lead,uranium,aluminum,chromium,manganese,iron,nickel,copper,zinc and arsenic.Mean cadmium,lead,aluminum,manganese,iron,nickel,zinc and arsenic levels respectively exceeded the WHO,US EPA and EU drinking water MCLs in 6.66%,3.38%,26.67%,5.02%,30.03%,3.38%,1.64% and 5.02% of the samples with the highest mean levels of 116.89μg/L for cadmium,38.162μg/L for lead,2,712.5μg/L for aluminum,1,242.68μg/L for manganese,17,325.98μg/L for iron,64.647μg/L for nickel,9,900.72μg/L for zinc and 65.458μg/L for arsenic.Mean water pH values ranged from 4.7 to 11.1 with 19.17% of the groundwater samples having mean pH values outside the WHO drinking water pH optimum range values of 6.5-8.5,including 5.02% of the water samples which were acidic(mean pH values ranging from 4.7 to 6.4)and 14.15% which were alkaline(mean pH values ranging from 8.6 to 11.1).With such physicochemical and trace metal contamination status of groundwater in the three communes of Lubumbashi city,there is a high risk to the health of people who use that water to meet their drinking water needs.

Epidemiological Profile of Pet Bites and Rabies Cases from 2005-2015: Case of the City of Lubumbashi in the DRC

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.