Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the average values of width of the upper central incisor (WUCI) in Congolese Bantu and compare them to those of Caucasians and Asiatic. Material and Methods: It was a ...Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the average values of width of the upper central incisor (WUCI) in Congolese Bantu and compare them to those of Caucasians and Asiatic. Material and Methods: It was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out at the Université de Kinshasa on the Congolese Bantu, Department of Dental Medicine, from March 2020 to March 2021. A maxillary imprint was taken by Jeltrate-type alginate. The measurement of two healthy upper central incisors (UCI) was carried out by the hard plaster casting type 4, with a brand caliper, carbon fiver composite mark. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Public Health in the Université de Kinshasa and verbal consent was obtained from each participant. Results: The Average Width of the UCI was 8.74 mm ± 0.56. The average width of the right Upper Central incisor (RUCI) and the left UCI (LUCI) was 8.71 mm ± 0.57 and 8.77 mm ± 0.56, respectively. The average width of the RUCI and LUCI was not the same for men and women (p 0.001). A significant difference was observed between the average of the RUCI and the 18 - 28 and 40 - 50 age group (p = 0.056) as well as for the average LUCI (p = 0.085). The width average of UCI between the Congolese Bantu with those of Caucasians and Asians was significantly different (p = 0.000 and p = 0.009). Conclusion: The average width of the RUCI and LUCI was different among sex and age group. The average width of UCI of the Congolese Bantu is different from that of Caucasians and Asians.展开更多
<strong>Background: </strong>Poor regulation is a barrier to adolescents’ accessing family planning (FP) services. We aimed to assess policies, laws, and regulations according to the contraceptive needs o...<strong>Background: </strong>Poor regulation is a barrier to adolescents’ accessing family planning (FP) services. We aimed to assess policies, laws, and regulations according to the contraceptive needs of adolescents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). <strong>Methods:</strong> A mixed method study was conducted in 74 structures, including 13 administrative structures and 61 facilities offering FP. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document review. Using a health policy analysis framework, we analyzed the types of policies;their availability at the delivery points;the actors and the context of the policy formulation process. The content of policies was analyzed on the basis of WHO recommendations to ensure respect for human rights in the provision of contraceptive information and services. <strong>Results: </strong>Of the policies targeting the sexual and reproductive health (SRH), 18 were mainly focused on the FP of which 5 were the standards and directives;5 implementing documents;3 guidelines;3 laws and 2 policies. Twelve documents were classified “important” for the FP extension. However, a few targeted adolescents and were translated into operational instructions for providers. Of 9 WHO recommendations, one was fully and two partially integrated into FP policies. Adolescents and FP providers were less involved in the policy formulation process. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The FP regulation remains problematic in the DRC. FP policies are unsuitable to adolescents’ expectation;they do not guarantee a secure and unrestricted access to FP services. The ministry of health should put in place evidence-based regulations to improve access to SRH services by adolescents.展开更多
文摘Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the average values of width of the upper central incisor (WUCI) in Congolese Bantu and compare them to those of Caucasians and Asiatic. Material and Methods: It was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out at the Université de Kinshasa on the Congolese Bantu, Department of Dental Medicine, from March 2020 to March 2021. A maxillary imprint was taken by Jeltrate-type alginate. The measurement of two healthy upper central incisors (UCI) was carried out by the hard plaster casting type 4, with a brand caliper, carbon fiver composite mark. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Public Health in the Université de Kinshasa and verbal consent was obtained from each participant. Results: The Average Width of the UCI was 8.74 mm ± 0.56. The average width of the right Upper Central incisor (RUCI) and the left UCI (LUCI) was 8.71 mm ± 0.57 and 8.77 mm ± 0.56, respectively. The average width of the RUCI and LUCI was not the same for men and women (p 0.001). A significant difference was observed between the average of the RUCI and the 18 - 28 and 40 - 50 age group (p = 0.056) as well as for the average LUCI (p = 0.085). The width average of UCI between the Congolese Bantu with those of Caucasians and Asians was significantly different (p = 0.000 and p = 0.009). Conclusion: The average width of the RUCI and LUCI was different among sex and age group. The average width of UCI of the Congolese Bantu is different from that of Caucasians and Asians.
文摘<strong>Background: </strong>Poor regulation is a barrier to adolescents’ accessing family planning (FP) services. We aimed to assess policies, laws, and regulations according to the contraceptive needs of adolescents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). <strong>Methods:</strong> A mixed method study was conducted in 74 structures, including 13 administrative structures and 61 facilities offering FP. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document review. Using a health policy analysis framework, we analyzed the types of policies;their availability at the delivery points;the actors and the context of the policy formulation process. The content of policies was analyzed on the basis of WHO recommendations to ensure respect for human rights in the provision of contraceptive information and services. <strong>Results: </strong>Of the policies targeting the sexual and reproductive health (SRH), 18 were mainly focused on the FP of which 5 were the standards and directives;5 implementing documents;3 guidelines;3 laws and 2 policies. Twelve documents were classified “important” for the FP extension. However, a few targeted adolescents and were translated into operational instructions for providers. Of 9 WHO recommendations, one was fully and two partially integrated into FP policies. Adolescents and FP providers were less involved in the policy formulation process. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The FP regulation remains problematic in the DRC. FP policies are unsuitable to adolescents’ expectation;they do not guarantee a secure and unrestricted access to FP services. The ministry of health should put in place evidence-based regulations to improve access to SRH services by adolescents.
