Treatment adherence in retinoblastoma: A retro-prospective cohort study in Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND: In high-income countries, retinoblastoma is curable in more than 95% of cases, whereas in low-income countries, mortality remains high, especially when the diagnosis is made late or the treatment is discontinued. AIMS: To determine the factors associated with adherence to the treatment of retinoblastoma in the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). METHODS AND RESULTS: A retro-prospective cohort study was carried out. Data were collected from patient folders and follow-up records of parents. RESULTS: A total of 175 children with retinoblastoma were registered from January 2013 to December 2015. Seventy-six children (43%) were 5 years old and above. Care costs were covered by families in 86.9% of cases. Chemotherapy refusal was recorded in 39 cases (22.3%), and enucleation refusal was recorded in 79 cases (45.1%). After 36 months of follow-up, we recorded 16.6% deaths, 27.4% treatment dropouts, and 18.3% loss to follow-up after treatment. The commonest cause for enucleation refusal was fear of infirmity, while chemotherapy refusal and absconding treatment were due to financial constraints. CONCLUSION: Poor adherence to retinoblastoma management was due to financial constraints, and a lack of knowledge of the disease and its treatment. Family psychosocial support is needed to improve this condition.

Epidemiology of Epilepsy in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, but the majority of epilepsy patients in sub-Saharan countries do not receive appropriate treatment. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in Lubumbashi, very few epidemiological studies on epilepsy have emerged. This study aims to analyze demographic characteristics, semiology of epileptic seizures, and their etiologies in patients followed in hospital. METHODS: This is a prospective descriptive study that enrolled 177 epileptic patients who performed a neurological consultation at the Centre Médical du Centre Ville (CMDC) in Lubumbashi (DRC) from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 20.0 years (range: 5 months and 86 years). The male sex was predominant (57.1%). The mean age at the seizure onset was 13.1 years, and the mean duration between onset of seizures and consultation was 83.5 months. The family history of epilepsy was present in 27.7%. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were the most frequent (58.2%), followed by atonic generalized seizures (9.6%) and focal clonic seizures (8.5%). The etiology was found in 68 (38.4%) patients and was dominated by neurocysticercosis (26.5%), meningitis (25%), perinatal pathologies (20.6%), and head injury (20.6%). CONCLUSION: This study is a useful starting point from which health programs and health professionals can work to improve the diagnosis and quality of epilepsy management in our community.

Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Congolese children: risk factors of death.

INTRODUCTION: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) are the leading causes of death from infectious disease worldwide. The prevalence of HIV among children with TB in moderate to high prevalence countries ranges between 10% and 60%. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among children treated for TB in Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) clinics in Lubumbashi and to identify risk of death during this co-infection. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of children under-15, treated for tuberculosis from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015. Clinical, paraclinical and outcome data were collected in 22 DOTS of Lubumbashi. A statistical comparison was made between dead and survived HIV-infected TB children. We performed the multivariate analyzes and the significance level set at p-value <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 840 children with TB were included. The prevalence of HIV infection was 20.95% (95% CI: 18.34-23.83%). The mortality rate was higher for HIV-infected children (47.73%) compared to HIV-uninfected children (17.02%) (p<0.00001). Age <5 years (aOR=6.50 [1.96-21.50]), a poor nutritional status (aOR=23.55 [8.20-67.64]), and a negative acid-fast bacilli testing (aOR=4.51 [1.08-18.70]) were associated with death during anti-TB treatment. CONCLUSION: TB and HIV co-infection is a reality in pediatric settings in Lubumbashi. High mortality highlights the importance of early management.

Predictive Model for the Risk of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children.

BACKGROUND: The nutritional status is the best indicator of the well-being of the child. Inadequate feeding practices are the main factors that affect physical growth and mental development. The aim of this study was to develop a predictive score of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children under 5 years of age. METHODS: It was a case-control study. The case group (n = 263) consisted of children aged 6 to 59 months admitted to hospital for SAM that was defined by a z-score weight/height < -3 SD or presence of edema of malnutrition. We performed a univariate and multivariate analysis. Discrimination score was assessed using the ROC curve and the calibration of the score by Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: Low birth weight, history of recurrent or chronic diarrhea, daily meal's number less than 3, age of breastfeeding's cessation less than 6 months, age of introduction of complementary diets less than 6 months, maternal age below 25 years, parity less than 5, family history of malnutrition, and number of children under 5 over 2 were predictive factors of SAM. Presence of these nine criteria affects a certain number of points; a score <6 points defines children at low risk of SAM, a score between 6 and 8 points defines a moderate risk of SAM, and a score >8 points presents a high risk of SAM. The area under ROC curve of this score was 0.9685, its sensitivity was 93.5%, and its specificity was 93.1%. CONCLUSION: We propose a simple and efficient prediction model for the risk of occurrence of SAM in children under 5 years of age in developing countries. This predictive model of SAM would be a useful and simple clinical tool to identify people at risk, limit high rates of malnutrition, and reduce disease and child mortality registered in developing countries.

[Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in school in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo]. / Prévalence du surpoids et de l'obésité chez l'adolescent en milieu scolaire à Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo.

INTRODUCTION: overweight and obesity in adolescents are a major global public health issue due to their potential impact on health and increasing frequency. This study aims to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents attending public and private schools in Lubumbashi (DRC). METHODS: we conducted a cross-sectional study of 5341 adolescents aged 10-19 years, 2858 (53.5%) girls and 2483 (46.5%) boys. Weight and height were measured for each adolescent and then body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS: the average weight was 43,78 ± 11.62 kg (42,39 ± 12.11 kg for boys and 44.95 ± 11.04 kg for girls), the average height was 151,30 ± 13,09 cm (151.20 ± 14.64 cm for boys and 151,38 ± 11.58 cm for girls) and BMI was 18,82 ± 3.15 kg/m² (19.39 ± 3.39 kg/m² for boys and 18.17 ± 2.71 kg/m² for girls). The prevalence of overweight was 8% while that of obesity was 1%. The girls were significantly more affected by overweight (10.7% girls against 5% boys) and obesity (1.5% girls against 0.4% boys) than the boys. CONCLUSION: overweight and obesity in school environment are a reality in Lubumbashi. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in this age group category should be determined in a national evaluation plan in order to implement preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension with associated risk factors in a mine-based workforce, Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, with the largest portion occurring in Africa. Results from earlier baseline measures on obesity, diabetes and hypertension (ODH) in the Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) workforce in 2010 showed high proportions of overweight, pre-diabetic and pre-hypertensive individuals, predicting an upward trend in the burden of ODH over time. The 2010-2015 longitudinal trends on ODH and related risk factors among the TFM workforce is presented herein, and projects the consequent burden of these diseases on the workforce by 2025 if an effective prevention program is not implemented. METHODS: A longitudinal, retrospective cohort study with 3-time intervals was conducted using occupational health records collected on all employees and contractors who had a pre-employment or follow up medical checkups covering the period between January 2010 and December 2015. Repeated paired t tests measured changes in mean values of quantitative risk factors, while a chi-square test assessed changes in prevalence and categorical risk factors over time. A linear projection model was used to predict the consequent morbidity of ODH for the subsequent 10 years up to 2025. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2015, prevalence increased from 4.5% to 11.1% for obesity, 11.9% to 15.6% for diabetes, and 18.2% to 26.5% for hypertension. By 2025, provided no prevention program is implemented, prevalence is predicted to reach 25%, 24% and 42% respectively for obesity, diabetes and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Without implementation of a comprehensive NCD prevention plan, the burden of ODH and other NCDs is predicted to increase dramatically in the TFM workforce. Alone or combined, NCDs have the potential to dramatically increase operational costs while decreasing productivity over time.

Prévalence du surpoids et de l'obésité chez l'adolescent en milieu scolaire à Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo

Introduction: le surpoids et l'obésité au cours de l'adolescence constituent un problème préoccupant de santé publique à l'échelle mondiale en raison de leur retentissement potentiel sur la santé et de leur fréquence croissante. La présente étude avait pour objectif de déterminer la prévalence du surpoids et de l'obésité chez les adolescents scolarisés dans les établissements publics et privés à Lubumbashi, en République Démocratique du Congo. Méthodes: il s'agissait d'une étude transversale menée auprès de 5.341 adolescents âgés de 10 à 19 ans, dont 2.858 (53,5%) filles et 2.483 (46,5%) garçons ont constitué notre échantillon. Pour chacun d'eux, nous avons mesuré le poids et la taille puis calculé l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC). Résultats: la moyenne du poids était de 43,78 ± 11,62 kg (soit 42,39 ± 12,11 kg pour les garçons et 44,95 ± 11,04 kg pour les filles), celle de la taille était de 151,30 ± 13,09 cm (soit 151,20 ± 14,64 cm pour les garçons et 151,38 ± 11,58 cm pour les filles) et celle de l'IMC était de 18,82 ± 3,15 kg/m2 (soit 19,39 ± 3,39 kg/m2 pour les garçons et 18,17 ± 2,71 kg/m2 pour les filles). La prévalence du surpoids était de 8% et celle de l'obésité était de 1%. Les filles étaient significativement plus touchées par le surpoids (10,7% filles contre 5% garçons) et l'obésité (1,5 % filles contre 0,4% garçons) que les garçons. Conclusion: le surpoids et l'obésité chez les adolescents en milieu scolaire s'avèrent une réalité à Lubumbashi. La détermination de la prévalence du surpoids et de l'obésité pour cette catégorie d'âge au plan national est recommandable pour leurs préventions et prises en charges

Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Congolese children: risk factors of death

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) are the leading causes of death from infectious disease worldwide. The prevalence of HIV among children with TB in moderate to high prevalence countries ranges between 10% and 60%. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among children treated for TB in Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) clinics in Lubumbashi and to identify risk of death during this co-infection.Methods: this is a cross-sectional study of children under-15, treated for tuberculosis from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015. Clinical, paraclinical and outcome data were collected in 22 DOTS of Lubumbashi. A statistical comparison was made between dead and survived HIV-infected TB children. We performed the multivariate analyzes and the significance level set at p-value <0.05.Results: a total of 840 children with TB were included. The prevalence of HIV infection was 20.95% (95% CI: 18.34-23.83%). The mortality rate was higher for HIV-infected children (47.73%) compared to HIV-uninfected children (17.02%) (p<0.00001). Age <5 years (aOR=6.50 [1.96-21.50]), a poor nutritional status (aOR=23.55 [8.20-67.64]), and a negative acid-fast bacilli testing (aOR=4.51 [1.08-18.70]) were associated with death during anti-TB treatment. Conclusion: TB and HIV co-infection is a reality in pediatric settings in Lubumbashi. High mortality highlights the importance of early management

Increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension with associated risk factors in a mine-based workforce, Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, with the largest portion occurring in Africa. Results from earlier baseline measures on obesity, diabetes and hypertension (ODH) in the Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) workforce in 2010 showed high proportions of overweight, pre-diabetic and pre-hypertensive individuals, predicting an upward trend in the burden of ODH over time. The 2010-2015 longitudinal trends on ODH and related risk factors among the TFM workforce is presented herein, and projects the consequent burden of these diseases on the workforce by 2025 if an effective prevention program is not implemented.Methods: a longitudinal, retrospective cohort study with 3-time intervals was conducted using occupational health records collected on all employees and contractors who had a pre-employment or follow up medical checkups covering the period between January 2010 and December 2015. Repeated paired t tests measured changes in mean values of quantitative risk factors, while a chi-square test assessed changes in prevalence and categorical risk factors over time. A linear projection model was used to predict the consequent morbidity of ODH for the subsequent 10 years up to 2025.Results: between 2010 and 2015, prevalence increased from 4.5% to 11.1% for obesity, 11.9% to 15.6% for diabetes, and 18.2% to 26.5% for hypertension. By 2025, provided no prevention program is implemented, prevalence is predicted to reach 25%, 24% and 42% respectively for obesity, diabetes and hypertension.Conclusion: without implementation of a comprehensive NCD prevention plan, the burden of ODH and other NCDs is predicted to increase dramatically in the TFM workforce. Alone or combined, NCDs have the potential to dramatically increase operational costs while decreasing productivity over time

Albumin, copper, manganese and cobalt levels in children suffering from sickle cell anemia at Kasumbalesa, in Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND: Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) is characterized by high levels of oxidative stress markers and low levels of antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant defence mechanisms against the harmful effects of ROS requires cellular and extracellular enzymes. These enzymes requires micronutrient for complete activity. Information on micronutrients such as manganese, cobalt and copper in SCA population was poorly documented in the literature. METHODS: Plasma copper, manganese, cobalt and albumin concentrations determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry were compared between two groups of children: 76 with SCA (Hb-SS) and 76 without SCA (controls). This study was conducted in the Muhona Hospital of Kasumbalesa, which is situated in a rural and low in resources. RESULTS: The mean age was 10.0 years (SD = 5.4) in SCA children and 9.2 years (SD = 4.7) in the control group. The levels of cobalt, manganese, copper and albumin were not different between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, albumin, manganese, cobalt and copper values did not differ between SCA children in steady state and Hb-AA children. The lack of differences in plasma elemental concentrations between the two groups in context of increased demands in the SCA group, may represent adequate compensatory intake or elemental dyshomeostasis in the SCA group.

Severe malaria and death risk factors among children under 5 years at Jason Sendwe Hospital in Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: Malaria is still a major public health concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its morbidity and mortality challenge the actual strategies of the fight agains malaria. This study was aimed to describe the epidemiology, the clinical caracteristics and the risk factors of death associated to severe malaria in the pediatric population under 5 years at Sendwe Hospital of Lubumbashi. METHODS: This analytical retrospective study was conducted in Lubumbashi, in the province of Haut-Katanga. All patients under 5 years hospitalized for severe malaria were registered from January 2014 to December 2016. RESULTS: Among the 3,092 patients hospitalised during our study period, 452 (14.6%) were admitted for severe malaria. The average age was 27.04 months, the male sex was the most affected (53.54% with the sex-ratio 1.15). The most frequent forms of gravity noticed were cerebral malaria (48.23%) and severe anemia (46.90%). Death was noted in the evolution in 28.32%. Repeated convulsion (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.47-3.48), coma (OR = 3.55; 95% CI: 2.19-5.74) and severe acute malnutrition (OR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.56-7.06) were asscociated with a high risk of death. CONCLUSION: This research shows that severe malaria is still an important cause of morbidity and mortality among young children in Lubumbashi. Neurologic and anemic forms are the most frequent. The predictive signs of death are: repeated convulsions, coma and severe acute malnutrition.

Fragile X checklists: A meta-analysis and development of a simplified universal clinical checklist.

BACKGROUND: Clinical checklists available have been developed to assess the risk of a positive Fragile X syndrome but they include relatively small sample sizes. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis that included statistical pooling of study results to obtain accurate figures on the prevalence of clinical predictors of Fragile X syndrome among patients with intellectual disability, thereby helping health professionals to improve their referrals for Fragile X testing. METHODS: All published studies consisting of cytogenetic and/or molecular screening for fragile X syndrome among patients with intellectual disability, were eligible for the meta-analysis. All patients enrolled in clinical checklists trials of Fragile X syndrome were eligible for this review, with no exclusion based on ethnicity or age. Odds ratio values, with 95% confidence intervals as well as Cronbach coefficient alpha, was reported to assess the frequency of clinical characteristics in subjects with intellectual disability with and without the fragile X mutation to determine the most discriminating. RESULTS: The following features were strongly associated with Fragile X syndrome: skin soft and velvety on the palms with redundancy of skin on the dorsum of hand [OR: 16.85 (95% CI 10.4-27.3; α:0.97)], large testes [OR: 7.14 (95% CI 5.53-9.22; α: 0.80)], large and prominent ears [OR: 18.62 (95% CI 14.38-24.1; α: 0.98)], pale blue eyes [OR: 8.97 (95% CI 4.75-16.97; α: 0.83)], family history of intellectual disability [OR: 3.43 (95% CI 2.76-4.27; α: 0.81)] as well as autistic-like behavior [OR: 3.08 (95% CI 2.48-3.83; α: 0.77)], Flat feet [OR: 11.53 (95% CI 6.79-19.56; α:0.91)], plantar crease [OR: 3.74 (95% CI 2.67-5.24; α: 0.70)]. We noted a weaker positive association between transverse palmar crease [OR: 2.68 (95% CI 1.70-4.18; α: 0.51)], elongated face [OR: 3.69 (95% CI 2.84-4.81; α: 0.63)]; hyperextensible metacarpo-phalangeal joints [OR: 2.68 (95% CI 2.15-3.34; α: 0.57)] and the Fragile X syndrome. CONCLUSION: This study has identified the highest risk features for patients with Fragile X syndrome that have been used to design a universal clinical checklist.

Oscillometric blood pressure by age and height for non overweight children and adolescents in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of hypertension in children is complex because based on normative values by sex, age and height, and these values vary depending on the environment. Available BP references used, because of the absence of local data, do not correspond to our pediatric population. Accordingly, our study aimed to provide the BP threshold for children and adolescents in Lubumbashi (DRC) and to compare them with German (KIGGS study), Polish (OLAF study) and Chinese (CHNS study) references. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 7523 school-children aged 3 to 17 years. The standardized BP measurements were obtained using a validated oscillometric device (Datascope Accutor Plus). After excluding overweight and obese subjects according to the IOTF definition (n = 640), gender-specific SBP and DBP percentiles, which simultaneously accounted for age and height by using an extension of the LMS method, namely GAMLSS, were tabulated. RESULTS: The 50th, 90th and 95th percentiles of SBP and DBP for 3373 boys and 3510 girls were tabulated simultaneously by age and height (5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th height percentile). Before 13 years the 50th and 90th percentiles of SBP for boys were higher compared with those of KIGGS and OLAF, and after they became lower: the difference for adolescents aged 17 years was respectively 8 mmHg (KIGGS) and 4 mmHg (OLAF). Concerning girls, the SBP 50th percentile was close to that of OLAF and KIGGS studies with differences that did not exceed 3 mmHg; whereas the 90th percentile of girls at different ages was high. Our oscillometric 50th and 90th percentiles of SBP and DBP were very high compared to referential ausculatory percentiles of the CHNS study respectively for boys from 8 to 14 mmHg and 7 to 13 mmHg; and for girls from 10 to 16 mmHg and 11 to 16 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed BP thresholds percentiles enable early detection and treatment of children and adolescents with high BP and develop a local program of health promotion in schools and family.

[Seroprevalence and factors associated with Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV among children in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo]. / Séroprévalence et facteurs associés à l'acceptation du Conseil et Dépistage Volontaire du VIH chez l'enfant à Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo.

INTRODUCTION: Despite proposals for screening infants or preschool children for HIV infection, the proportion of children who grow or die with unknown HIV status is high in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence during a voluntary screening and to identify factors associated with Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV in the paediatric population of non-HIV infected or non-HIV exposed infants and children in Lubumbashi, DRC. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional prospective analytical study in 4 community VCT centers divided into 4 health zones in the city of Lubumbashi, DRC (Lubumbashi, Ruashi, Kampemba and Kenya) over the period 1 August 2006 - 31 September 2007. The study aimed to evaluate voluntary testing for HIV among children less than 15 years. The sociodemographic characteristics and the parameters related to Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV were analyzed. Usual descriptive statistical analyses and logistic regression were perfomed. RESULTS: Out of 463 children screened for HIV, 41 (8.9%; 95% CI: 6.5%-11.9%) were HIV positive. Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV in the paediatric population of non-HIV infected or non-HIV exposed infants or children was significantly higher in children over 2 years of age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.6 [95% CI: 1,1-12,2]) when both of their parents had negative or uknown HIV status (AOR = 27.4 [95% CI: 9,4-80,0]), when either or both of their biological parents were alive (AOR = 24.9 [95% CI: 2,4-250,8]) and when screening programs were not only carried out by health professionals (AOR = 2.9 [95% CI: 1,0-7,9]). CONCLUSION: Our study shows a high HIV prevalence among children supporting the need for VCT highly accepted by parents and tutors in the city of Lubumbashi.

[Labour in women with scarred uterus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: trial of scar and factors influencing the outcome]. / Accouchements sur utérus cicatriciel en République Démocratique du Congo: épreuve utérine et facteurs déterminants de l'issue.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to identify risks factors associated with failed trial of scar and to set a predictive score of labour in women with scarred uterus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional analytic study of patients with scarred uterus in four maternity units in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 1 January to 31 December 2013. Logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with failed trial of scar. We set a predictive score based on this model in order to predict trial of scar failure in maternity units in the DRC. ROC curve was used to assess the ability of the set score to identify patients at risk for trial of scar failure. The cut off point for the predictive score was determined on the basis of the Youden-index-based optimal sensitivity and specificity. All the tests in our study were carried out by using a significance threshold of α=0.05. RESULTS: Two explanatory factors in trial of scar failure were retained. They were the socio-demographic factor (maternal age) and three obstetric factors (fundal height, fetal presentation and premature rupture of membranes). Predictive score was set to predict trial of scar failure. This score was determined based on four elements: maternal age, evaluation of the gestational sac on admission, fundal height and fetal presentation. The minimum score was set at 4 and the maximum score was set at 16. The threshold value was set at 7. A total score greater than or equal to 7 reflects a risk of trial of scar failure. CONCLUSION: We set a predictive score to predict trial of scar failure. This score was determined based on four elements: maternal age, evaluation of the gestational sac on admission, fundal height and fetal presentation. A total score greater than or equal to 7 reflects a risk of trial of scar failure.

Prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and associated risk factors in a mining workforce, Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the largest increase occurs in Africa. Obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension (ODH) are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, causing nearly 18 million deaths worldwide. Various risks associated with mining as an occupational activity are implicated in NCDs' occurrence. This study describes the baseline prevalence of ODH and associated risk factors in the workforce of Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), in southern Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 2,749 employees' and contractor's occupational health examination files for 2010. Socio-demographic, occupational, medical, anthropometric and behavioral characteristics were collected and assessed. Disease status regards ODH was based on WHO criteria. A multivariate logistic regression model was used. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of ODH was 4.5%, 11.7%, and 18.2% respectively. Proportions of pre-ODH individuals were 19.7%, 16.5%, and 47.8% respectively. Prevalence of ODH increased with age, professional grade, nature of work, gender and reported alcohol use. Smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day increased risk of diabetes and hypertension, while decreasing obesity. CONCLUSION: Rates of ODH and associated risk factors are higher in the TFM workforce, than in the general DRC population. This is likely reflective of other mining sites in the country and region. It is evident that ODH are associated with various socio-demographic, occupational, anthropometric, biomedical and behavioral risk factors. A NCD prevention program and close monitoring of disease and risk factors trends are needed in this population.

A cross-sectional study on obesity and related risk factors among women of the central market of Lusonga in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is known as one of adjuvant factors for increase in non-communiable diseases (NCDs). The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of obesity and identify its risk factors among women of the central market of Lusonga in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: In October 2014, we interviewed a total of 430 women selling in the central market of Lusonga in Lubumbashi. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, health-related habits and behaviors, diet, physical activity, chronic diseases, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were collected. A multivariate logistic regression model was fitted. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 16.51% and 13.26% respectively. The logistic regression did not show any significant association between age and obesity. Risk of obesity was lower in married women (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.23 (0.08-0.63)). Women with low educational profile (primary school or less) were more likely to be obese than those with higher education (secondary or high school) (aOR = 2.50 (1.12-5.63)). Risk of obesity increased with living in urban area (aOR = 2.52 (1.00-6.36)), use of oral birth control pills (aOR = 11.07 (3.52-34.83)) and low consumption of fruit (aOR = 5.47 (1.88-15.92)) and vegetable (aOR = 2.42 (1.05-5.56)). Obese women were more likely to be hypertensive than non-obese (aOR = 7.15 (2.46-20.75)) and diabetics (aOR = 3.62 (1.62-8.11)). CONCLUSION: This study has reported a prevalence of 13.26% of obesity among women selling at Lusonga's market. Marital status, education level, residence, use of oral birth control pills and consumption of fruit and vegetables had a significant association with the prevalence of obesity in this category of women.

[Trace elements in serum of malnourished and well-nourished children living in Lubumbashi and Kawama]. / Eléments traces dans le sérum des enfants malnutris et bien nourris vivants à Lubumbashi et Kawama dans un contexte d'un environnement de pollution minière.

INTRODUCTION: The role of trace metals elements in human nutrition can no longer be ignored. Deficiency caused by inadequate dietary intake, secondary deficiencies often under - estimated, and iatrogenic deficiencies lead to pathologies such as infections and others. For this reason their dosages are particularly important to assess disease severity and to facilitate early treatment or improve patient's diet. The aim of this study was to determine trace elements profile in blood (copper, selenium, zinc, iron, chromium, cobalt, etc.) among malnourished and well-nourished children in a mining community in Lubumbashi. METHODS: Three hundred eleven cases have been collected, 182 malnourished children and 129 well-nourished children in a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from July 2013 to December 2014. Exhaustive sampling was performed. Metal determination in serum was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP-OES/MS) in the laboratory at Congolese Control Office in Lubumbashi. RESULTS: Essential trace elements (copper, zinc, selenium and iron) were found at very low concentrations in both the malnourished and well-nourished children. Arsenic, cadmium, magnesium and manganese concentrations were normal compared with reference values in well-nourished children Antimony, chromium, lead and cobalt levels were high in both the malnourished and well-nourished children. Nickel level was normal malnourished and well-nourished children. Magnesium, manganese were found in very low levels in malnourished children. CONCLUSION: Both the malnourished and well-nourished children suffer from deficiencies of essential trace elements associated with trace metals elements This allows to assume that essential micronutrients deficiency promotes the absorption of heavy metals.

[Clinical signs of malnutrition in children living around a mining area: a case study in the city of Lubumbashi and its surrounding]. / Signes cliniques rencontrés chez l'enfant malnutri dans un milieu minier: cas de la ville de Lubumbashi et ses environs.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition remains to this day a major public health problem, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the clinical signs observed in malnourished children admitted to a care unit. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted from July 2013 to December 2014. Our study included 311 cases (182 malnourished children and 129 well-nourished children), based on exhaustive sampling, with an active screening of malnourished and well-nourished children. The diagnosis was made clinically and was associated with anthropometry. RESULTS: The main collected symptoms in malnourished children were: cough or pneumonia in 42.50%, gastroenteritis in 38.55%, skin lesions in 22.91% of cases, fever in 22.35% of cases, edema in 19.0% of children, pallor in 8.38% of children; finally splenomegaly and hepatomegaly were the less common symptoms (1.68% and 2.89% respectively). Well-nourished children, instead, showed splenomegaly and fever associated with malaria. CONCLUSION: Malnourished children living around a mining area don't differ in symptomatology from the other malnourished children, except for hepatomegaly and splenomegaly which are very rare in our malnourished children.