Prevalence and Associated Factors of Diabetes Mellitus Among Newly Enrolled Tuberculosis Patients in Lubumbashi (DRC).

Background: Tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus are major public health challenges worldwide. The two scourges have bidirectional relationship with high morbidity and mortality. Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and identify related factors in patients with tuberculosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 tuberculosis screening and treatment centers in Lubumbashi (DRC) from September to December 2022. Adult patient with a positive smear for tuberculosis were systematically screened for diabetes mellitus. Demographic characteristics, history and symptomatology were the variables of interest. Data was entered using Microsoft Excel software. STATA 16 software was used for analysis. Results: A total of 255 tuberculosis patients were recruited and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among these patients was 11.4% (ie, 29 out of 255). After uni and multivariate logistic regression, a BMI ≤ 18.5 Kg/m2, lack of employment, polyuria and intense thirst were the factors associated with diabetes mellitus in tuberculosis patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in smear positive tuberculosis patients in the present study was higher than the one observed in Central Africa.

Impact of COVID-19 on selected essential public health services - lessons learned from a retrospective record review in the Free State, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: In an attempt to discern lessons to improve future pandemic responses, this study measured the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on essential public health services (EPHSs) related to primary health care (PHC) and outpatient department (OPD) utilisation, antiretroviral treatment (ART) commencement, drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) confirmation and treatment commencement, and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) coverage, in the Free State province of South Africa during January 2019 to March 2021. METHODS: A pre-post study design comparing EPHS performance between 2019 and 2020/21 was employed. Routinely collected data were analysed. An interrupted time series analysis was used to measure changes in service use and outcomes from January 2019 to March 2021. Median changes were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. A 5% statistical significance level was considered. RESULTS: Over the study period, the median values for the annual number of PHC visits was 1.80, 55.30% for non-referred OPD visits, 69.40% for ART commencement, 95.10% and 18.70% for DS-TB confirmation and treatment commencement respectively, and 93.70% for BCG coverage. While BCG coverage increased by 5.85% (p = 0.010), significant declines were observed in PHC utilisation (10.53%; p = 0.001), non-referred OPD visits (12.05%; p < 0.001), and ART commencement (9.53%; p = 0.017) rates. Given the importance of PHC in addressing a new pandemic, along with the existing HIV and TB epidemics - as well as the entire quadruple burden of disease - in South Africa, the finding that the PHC utilisation rate statistically significantly decreased in the Free State post-COVID-19 commencement is particularly concerning. CONCLUSIONS: The lessons learned from this retrospective review attest to a measure of resilience in EPHS delivery in the Free State in as far as a significant hike in BCG vaccination over the study period, 2019-2020/21 was observed. As evidenced by a decline in PHC service utilisation and the decreased numbers of new patients commencing ART, we also learned that EPHS delivery in the province was fragile.

Health Care Providers' Knowledge of Tuberculosis and Diabetes Mellitus Comorbidity in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Background: Tuberculosis-Diabetes mellitus (TB-DM) co-morbidity is a growing scourge in the world. The new approaches and interventions for TB control implemented by the Tuberculosis National Control Program (TNCP) in DRC require the involvement of health care providers for their success. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge of health care provider on different aspects of the management of TB-DM co-morbidity and to compare this knowledge according to the health care system, the type of providers and the number of years of experience. Methods: Cross-sectional and analytic study was conducted in 11 health care facilities in the Lubumbashi Health District, selected by reasoned choice, and an electronic questionnaire was administered to health care providers. These providers were interviewed on the different aspects of the management of the TB-DM comorbidity. The data were presented and compared in relation to knowledge about TB, DM, and TB-DM comorbidity. Results: A total of 113 providers were interviewed, predominantly males and physicians. Questions related to knowledge about DM were better answered. Doctors compared to paramedics; tertiary-level providers compared to secondary-level providers had better responses to the different questions. There is a statistically significant correlation between the level of knowledge of TB, DM and the type of health care provider, the number of years of experience. Conclusion: The present study shows that there are gaps in the knowledge of our health care providers and community members on the recommendations of the DRC TB guidelines (Programme AntiTuberculeux Intégré 5: PATI 5) in general and on the management of TB-DM. It is therefore important and necessary to put in place strategies to improve this level of knowledge, which will focus on the extension of the guidelines, the awareness and the training of the stakeholders involved in the control.

The characteristics and perioperative outcomes of children with orofacial clefts managed at an academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are the commonest congenital anomalies of the head and neck. Their aetiology is multifactorial, and prevalence has a geographical variation. This study sought to describe OFC cases that presented for surgery. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to describe the preoperative characteristics, concomitant congenital anomalies and perioperative outcomes of children presenting for cleft repair surgery over a 5-year period at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). METHODS: A retrospective descriptive record review for children under the age of 14 years who presented for cleft repair surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) during a 5-year period, from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to report the results. RESULTS: A total of 175 records were included in the study. The median (IQR) age was 11 (6-27) months, with a predominance of males 98 (56%). Most of the children had cleft lip and palate (CLP) 71(41%). The prevalence of concomitant congenital anomalies was 22%, emanating mostly from head and neck congenital anomalies. Nine syndromes were identified in 15 children with syndromic clefts. Twenty-nine percent of children were underweight for age. There were 25 anaesthetic related complications, commonly airway related. Six children with complex multiple congenital anomalies were admitted in the intensive care unit postoperatively. No mortalities were recorded. CONCLUSION: Majority of children with orofacial clefts underwent cleft repair surgery without serious complications and intensive care unit admission. Only six children were diagnosed with significant anomalies needing intensive care management.

Ultrasound Hepatic Vein Ratios Are Associated With the Development of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the use of hepatic venous and right-heart ultrasound parameters in predicting cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). DESIGN: This was a prospective, contextual, descriptive two-center study. Blood tests,clinical and ultrasound data were obtained preoperatively, and postoperative day one, and day four. The hepatic vein, inferior vena cava, and right-heart Doppler ultrasound parameters were obtained and analyzed. SETTING: The sites of the study were Johannesburg, South Africa, and Aarhus, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients who satisfied inclusion criteria, between August 2019 and January 2020, were included, with a total of 152 participants. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) age of patients was 68 (55-73) years, predominantly male, and the majority were hypertensive. Of 152 patients analyzed, 54 (35%) patients developed AKI. Among these, 37 (69%) were classified as Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stage I, 11 (20%) as stage II, while six (11%) were stage III. Age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.10 p = 0.031), The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II (AOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.14-1.80, p = 0.005], and preoperative serum creatinine (AOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, p = 0.013) were predictive of AKI. Those who developed AKI had experienced longer cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times (p < 0.001). Preoperatively, hepatic vein S-wave measurements were significantly higher in patients with AKI (p < 0.05). On postoperative day one (D1), the hepatic vein flow ratios of patients with AKI were significantly decreased, driven by low S waves and high D waves, and accompanied by significantly elevated central venous pressure (CVP) levels. CVP levels on D1 postoperatively were predictive of AKI (AOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.11-1.55, p = 0.001). Measurements of right ventricular (RV) base, tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE), and inferior vena cava were not associated with the development of AKI (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was an association between the development of AKI and a decrease in hepatic flow ratios on D1, driven by low S-wave and high D-wave velocities. The presence of venous congestion was reflected by significantly elevated CVP values, which were independently associated with AKI on D1. RV base and TAPSE measurements were, however, not associated with AKI. These parameters may reflect perioperative circumstances, including prolonged CPB times and potential fluid management, which can be modified in this period.

Factors associated with acute kidney injury and mortality during cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to contribute towards the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and peri-operative morbidity and mortality. There are several patient, anaesthetic and surgical factors that contribute to its occurrence. It is imperative to know the profile of a patient who is likely to develop this complication to mitigate for modifiable risks. This study aimed at describing a profile of AKI in an adult patient (over the age of 18 years) following cardiac surgery on CPB. Factors associated with the development of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) are described, as well as the relationship between CSA-AKI and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This was a contextual, descriptive and retrospective single-centre study with data of 476 adult patients admitted post cardiac surgery between January 2016 and December 2017. Data were collected from Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) in South Africa. All adult patients who presented for elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass graft), valvular, aortic and other cardiac surgery on CPB were included. Peri-operative factors such as patient demographics, baseline renal function, co-morbid factors, length of CPB and aortic cross-clamp time, degree of hypothermia, use of assist devices, and post-operative serum creatinine (SCr) levels were collected. Incomplete essential peri-operative data and data for patients who presented on renal replacement therapy (RRT) already were excluded. AKI was defined by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five (28%) patients developed CSA-AKI and 20, 5 and 3% were in KDIGO 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Older age (p = 0.024), female gender (p = 0.015), higher serum creatinine level (p = 0.025), and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p = 0.025) were associated with the development of CSA-AKI, while a history of hypertension was predictive. Forty-six of the 476 patients died. Mortality rates were significantly higher in those with AKI compared to those without [28 (21%) vs 18 (5%), respectively (p = 0.001)]. The incidence was significantly worse in those with severe kidney injury, as evidenced by mortality rates of 44 versus 5% between KDIGO 3 and KDIGO 1 (p < 0.001). Pre-operative eGFR and CSA-AKI requiring RRT were significantly associated with mortality, while pre-operative eGFR was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.97-0.99, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: A history of hypertension was predictive of the development of CSA-AKI, and pre-operative eGFR was an independent predictor of mortality in this cohort. Both factors are modifiable.

Prevalence and characteristics of HIV infection among female sex workers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: female sex workers (FSWs) are considered a high-risk group for acquiring HIV infection due to their HIV prevalence estimated to be 10-20 times higher than in woman in the general population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HIV among female sex workers (FSWs) in Lubumbashi. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted among FSWs presenting for the first time at the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) clinic of Katuba, Lubumbashi, between April 2016 and December 2017. Information on the participants´ socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and HIV serology results were collated and analyzed using a multiple logistic regression to identify factors associated to HIV infection among FSWs. RESULTS: information on 1555 sex workers was analysed in this study, the prevalence of HIV was 8.2%. The median age of the participants was 26 years (IQR: 21-34). Of the 127 HIV positive sex workers, 74% have been in the business for two years or less, 97% sell sex as their main income, 74% have more than 5 sexual intercourses per week, 95% reported using condom, 73% reported having history of STIs, 70% reported using alcohol before sex and 97% reported having three or more sexual partners per week. After adjusting for potentials cofounders, Age, Sex work as main income, years of selling sex, condom use, and alcohol use before sex were found to have a significant effect on HIV infection among sex workers. CONCLUSION: these findings highlight the vulnerability of FSWs to HIV infection and the necessity of immediate interventions to strengthen HIV prevention through behavioral change strategies and making available Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for FSWs in Lubumbashi.

Household coverage, quality and costs of care provided by community health worker teams and the determining factors: findings from a mixed methods study in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Community health workers (CHWs) are undertaking more complex tasks as part of the move towards universal health coverage in South Africa. CHW programmes can improve access to care for vulnerable communities, but many such programmes struggle with insufficient supervision. In this paper, we assess coverage (proportion of households visited by a CHW in the past year and month), quality of care and costs of the service provided by CHW teams with differing configurations of supervisors, some based in formal clinics and some in community health posts. PARTICIPANTS: CHW, their supervisors, clinic staff, CHW clients. METHODS: We used mixed methods (a random household survey, focus group discussions, interviews and observations of the CHW at work) to examine the performance of six CHW teams in vulnerable communities in Sedibeng, South Africa. RESULTS: A CHW had visited 17% of households in the last year, and we estimated they were conducting one to two visits per day. At household registration visits, the CHW asked half of the questions required. Respondents remembered 20%-25% of the health messages that CHW delivered from a visit in the last month, and half of the respondents took the action recommended by the CHW. Training, supervision and motivation of the CHW, and collaboration with other clinic staff, were better with a senior nurse supervisor. We estimated that if CHW carried out four visits a day, coverage would increase to 30%-90% of households, suggesting that some teams need more CHW, as well as better supervision. CONCLUSION: Household coverage was low, and the service was limited. Support from the local facility was key to providing a quality service, and a senior supervisor facilitated this collaboration. Greater investment in numbers of CHW, supervisors, training and equipment is required for the potential benefits of the programme to be delivered.

Audit of transfusion of blood products in paediatric congenital heart surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery is associated with peri-operative bleeding, which may result in the need for blood transfusion, particularly in paediatric congenital cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). There is a necessity for regular auditing in order to improve practices. METHODS: Retrospective, contextual, descriptive data of 105 patients were collected for the period January to December 2014. RESULTS: The median age of patients was four (1-6) years, weight was 13 (8.4-20) kg, and mean lowest CPB haemoglobin level was 8.3 (1.5) g/dl. There was a statistically significant difference in median red packed cell (RPC), platelet and cryoprecipitate units per patient transfused across four RACHS (risk-adjusted classification for congenital heart surgery) categories (p = 0.03, p = 0.0013, p = 0.0001, respectively). There was a statistically significant correlation between transfused fresh frozen plasma units with CPB time (r = 0.2634, p = 0.0199) and RPC units (r = -0.4654, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although no standardised transfusion guidelines were available, overall transfusion of blood products was comparable to reported practices.