Knowledge and Practices of Health Professionals on the Optimization of Radiation Protection in Diagnostic Radiology in Children and Adults in the General Referral Hospitals of Bukavu in South Kivu, DRC

The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge and practices of radiological versus non-radiological health professionals on the optimisation of radiation protection in paediatric and adult radiology in BUKAVU hospitals. To achieve this, we surveyed a convenience sample of 73 health professionals including 23 radiologists working in the hospitals surveyed to assess knowledge and level of implementation of radiation protection principles. Also, physical parameters were taken for the calculation of entry doses in paediatric and adult radiology units for comparison with the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) diagnostic reference levels. After analysis of the data, the following was found: although radiologists have sufficient knowledge of radiation protection standards, technical constraints do not allow them to observe the dose limitation principle recommended by the ICRP. This is why several radiology departments, including those of the HPGRB, the MWANZI clinic and CIRIRI hospital, have proved to be very irradiating for children. However, radiologists and non-radiologists alike do not contribute positively to the optimisation of radiation protection in the diagnostic use of X-rays. Therefore, support in the implementation of radiation protection principles and regular monitoring of the units as well as replacement of non-standard equipment is necessary to promote patient and environmental safety by optimising radiation protection.

Health Providers’ Points of View on the Impact of the Project to Strengthen the Expanded Program of Routine Vaccination from 2014 to 2018 in the Barumbu Health Zone in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 3 million deaths are prevented each year in the world thanks to vaccination and then, in addition, each year, it makes it possible to avoid nearly 750,000 children suffering from serious physical, mental or neurological handicaps and 1.5 million other deaths could be avoided if the vaccination coverage is improved. However, vaccination coverage is often not achieved due to various difficulties encountered by health providers in the expanded program on vaccination activities. Yet, it is important to strengthen the program. This research paper aimed to assess health providers’ points of view on the impact of the project to strengthen the routine expanded program on vaccination in the Barumbu health zone in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC). To do so, we surveyed a convenience sample of 234 health providers involved in the implementation of the project, including 210 community relays, 9 permanent nurses, 9 health committee chairpersons and 6 health authorities. A questionnaire related to the objective of the research was submitted to them. After analyzing the data, we found that the points of view of health providers are negative. The performance of the vaccination program was not great. Several reasons were given for this, including the non-involvement of the political and administrative authorities, the failure to respect the funds disbursement circuit and the non-effective financing of vaccination activities in the Barumbu health zone in Kinshasa, DRC.

Contribution of the Tobacco Tax to the Financing of Health Systems in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Tobacco is an illicit product sold in the world and involves fatal communicable diseases and deaths. In several countries, tobacco revenue contributes to the health of victims. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of tobacco taxes to the financing of the health system in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the period of 3 years (from 2019 to 2021) in order to give some suggestions. A descriptive literature review on the tobacco tax was conducted from three tobacco tax collection services: the services of the General Secretariat of Health in DRC (SGSH), the Program of the National Health Account (PNHA) and the General Direction of Customs and Assizes (GDCA). The analysis revealed that no retrocession and no activity covered by the tax collected on tobacco does not contribute to the financing of the health sector, in order to reduce the burden of households already impoverished by diseases caused by tobacco.

Typology and Risk Factors of Public Road Accidents in Kinshasa with Its Two Peripheral Areas (Mongata and Kasangulu) from March to May 2017

Introduction: Road traffic put people at risks and needs health education to avoid accidents and deaths. This article aimed to build up a typology of public road accidents (public road accidents) and risk factors associated with in the provincial city of Kinshasa and its peripheral cities (Kasangulu and Mongata), to identify the profiles of the vehicles and people involved in these public road accidents. Method: We conducted a prospective eco-analytical study on a stratified random sample whose size was determined by the Fischer formula. Results: Overall, from March to May 2017, we witnessed an incidence of public road accidents cases ranging from 139 public road accidents cases in the city province of Kinshasa and its two peripheral areas: road axes of high concentration: Rte Blvd Lumumba-Airport;Rte Poids Lourd-Pont Matete, the axes of medium concentration: Rte N21-IMBU, Rte Blvd 30 juin-socimat;Rte Matadi-Kasangulu toll;Rte Université-Intendance, Rte By Pass-triangle Maman Mobutu-Kintambo (Rte-Matadi)-Toll/lère virage-Triangle Maman Mobutu and those of low concentration were: Rte du tourisme/Mimoza-Mbudi;Rte Matadi-Terrain Siwabanza. Conclusion: In these areas, public road accidents are a real public health problem that deserves sustained attention from all and especially from decision makers. Interventions must concern the HVE accident complex.

Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B, High Blood Pressure, and Diabetes Mellitus in the General Population of South Kivu<br/>—Results of World AIDS Day 2016

Background: It has been well-established that a program to fight HIV can accomplish the same results with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Such a strategy has not yet been the subject of a trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of HIV concurrent and respectively other chronic infectious and NCDs in the general population of South Kivu. Methods: Between 1 December 2016 and 15 January 2017, HIV, hepatitis B, high blood pressure (HBP) and diabetes mellitus (DM) were tested in the general adult population ≥ 15 years, respectively, in the towns of Bukavu and Uvira, and the rural areas Nyangezi and Walungu, on World AIDS Day 2016. Previous screening of these diseases has been sought, but the association between them was modeled in a multiple logistic regression. Results: Among the three thousand eight hundred and sixty-three (3863) adult subjects > 15 years (52.1% of men) tested voluntarily, the previous screening and prevalence were 33.8% and 1.2% respectively for HIV, 1.3% and 8.3% for hepatitis B, 18.2% and 25.1% for HBP and 9.5% and 4.8% for DM. The acceptance rate for current screening was significantly higher (p Conclusion: This study did more HIV testing than screens for other diseases. Finally, these problems can be managed (at a reasonable cost) with a view similar to the objectives of the World Health Organization (WHO).