Biomass energy, particulate matter (PM2.5), and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Congolese women living near of a cement plant, in Kongo Central Province.

This study investigated whether the individual and combined effects of using biomass energy and living in the neighborhood of a cement plant were associated with the risk of COPD and respiratory symptoms among Congolese women. A total of 235 women from two neighborhood communities of a cement plant participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were classified into the more exposed group (MEG = 137) and a less exposed group (LEG = 98), as well as into biomass users (wood = 85, charcoal = 49) or electricity users (101 participants). Participants completed a questionnaire including respiratory symptoms, sociodemographic factors, medical history, lifestyle, and household characteristics. In addition to spirometry performance, outdoor PM2.5 (µg/m3) was measured. Afternoon outdoor PM2.5 concentration was significantly higher in MEG than LEG (48.8 (2.5) µg/m3 vs 42.5 (1.5) µg/m3). Compared to electricity users, wood users (aOR: 2.6, 95%CI 1.7; 5.9) and charcoal users (aOR: 2.9, 95%CI 1.4; 10.7) were at risk of developing airflow obstruction. Combined effects of biomass use and living in the neighborhood of a cement plant increased the risk of COPD in both wood users (aOR: 4, 95%CI 1.3; 12.2) and charcoal users (aOR: 3.1, 95%CI 1.7; 11.4). Exposure to biomass energy is associated with an increased risk of COPD. In addition, combined exposure to biomass and living near a cement plant had additive effects on COPD.

Environmental and sociodemographic factors associated with household malaria burden in the Congo.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the most severe public health issues that result in massive morbidity and mortality in most countries of the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aimed to determine the scope of household, accessibility to malaria care and factors associated with household malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). METHODS: This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in an urban and a rural sites in which 152 households participated, including 82 urban and 70 rural households (1029 members in total). The 'malaria indicator questionnaire' (MIQ) was anonymously answered by household heads (respondents), reporting on malaria status of household members in the last 12 months. RESULTS: There were 67.8% of households using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) only, 14.0% used indoor residual spraying (IRS) only, 7.3% used ordinary bed nets (without insecticide treatment), 1.4% used mosquito repelling cream, 2.2% combined ITN and IRS, whereas 7.3% of households did not employ any preventive measure; p < 0.01). In addition, 96.7% of households were affected by malaria (at least one malaria case), and malaria frequency per household was relatively high (mean: 4.5 ± 3.1 cases reported) in the last 12 months. The mean individual malaria care expenditure was relatively high (101.6 ± 10.6 USD) in the previous 12 months; however, the majority of households (74.5%) earned less than 50 USD monthly. In addition, of the responders who suffered from malaria, 24.1% did not have access to malaria care at a health setting. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis with adjustment for age, education level and occupation showed that household size (OR = 1.43 ± 0.13; 95% CI 1.18-1.73; p < 0.001), inappropriate water source (OR = 2.41 ± 0.18; 95% CI 1.17-2.96; p < 0.05) absence of periodic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) intervention in residential area (OR = 1.63 ± 1.15; 95% CI 1.10-2.54; p < 0.05), and rural residence (OR = 4.52 ± 2.47; 95% CI 1.54-13.21; p < 0.01) were associated with household malaria. CONCLUSION: This study showed that household size, income, WASH status and rural site were malaria-associated factors. Scaling up malaria prevention through improving WASH status in the residential environment may contribute to reducing the disease burden.

Prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome among Congolese pre- and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Congolese pre- and postmenopausal women. METHODS: In total, 200 women (100 premenopausal and 100 postmenopausal) were interviewed and underwent clinical and biological investigations searching for lipid and non-lipid cardiovascular risk factors. National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria were used to define MetS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of MetS. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, plasma cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. MetS was present in 20% and 10% of postmenopausal and premenopausal women (p = 0.07), respectively. The MetS components hypertension, elevated plasma glucose and triglycerides were more frequently observed in post- vs. premenopausal women with MetS. Menopause (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-5.95), overweight (aOR 6.35; 95% CI 1.66-24.23) and obesity (aOR 14.29; 95% CI: 3.84-53.06) emerged as the main independent predictors of MetS. CONCLUSION: This study showed that MetS is common among Congolese postmenopausal women; menopause and weight gain emerged as its main predictors. This suggests that an integrated therapeutic approach combining hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle change in postmenopausal women should be considered.