The critical need for pooled data on coronavirus disease 2019 in African children : an AFREhealth call for action through multicountry research collaboration

Globally, there are prevailing knowledge gaps in the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children and adolescents; and these gaps are especially wide in African countries. The availability of robust age-disaggregated data is a critical first step in improving knowledge on disease burden and manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children. Furthermore, it is essential to improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with comorbidities and coinfections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria, sickle cell disease, and malnutrition, which are highly prevalent among children in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) COVID-19 Research Collaboration on Children and Adolescents is conducting studies across Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa to address existing knowledge gaps. This consortium is expected to generate key evidence to inform clinical practice and public health policy-making for COVID-19 while concurrently addressing other major diseases affecting children in African countries.The US National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ Fogarty International Centre (FIC) to the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth).https://academic.oup.com/cidam2022Paediatrics and Child Healt

Avortements provoqués en RDC :Analyse des complications et des effets des soins après avortement dans les Hôpitaux de référence de Kinshasa

RésuméContexte :Les avortements provoqués sont un problème de santé publique, et cela de par leur fréquence, la survenue de complication, et la mortalité et morbidité qui en découlent. Les décès peuvent ainsi représenter jusqu’à 18% de décès maternels. Très peu des données y relatives sont disponibles pour la RDC, alors que ce pays montre une mortalité maternelle très élevée avec un ratio qui est passé de 546 à 1188 décès maternels pour 100.000 naissances vivantes de 2007 à 2016 malgré l’amélioration de l’accessibilité et de l’utilisation des services de santé maternelle de 2001 à 2014. Objectif :Analyser les complications des avortements provoqués et les effets de l’intégration de la stratégie standard des soins après avortement dans les structures sanitaires de référence de la ville de Kinshasa, capitale de la RDC.Méthodes :L'analyse des complications des avortements provoqués incluait trois études transversales. La première étude a déterminé la prévalence des avortements provoqués et les complications y relatives. La deuxième et la troisième ont analysé les cas de complications des avortements provoqués admis dans les structures sanitaires de référence de Kinshasa du niveau secondaire et tertiaire successivement. Ensuite, l’analyse des effets de l’intégration de la stratégie standard des soins après avortement dans les structures sanitaires de référence de la ville de Kinshasa incluait une étude quasi expérimentale avec un design avant-après-comparatif. En outre, une étude qualitative avait été menée afin de contribuer à produire un modèle des soins après avortement adapté à la ville de Kinshasa.Résultats :Il ressort de nos études que le taux des avortements provoqués en 2015 était de 55 pour 1000 femmes en âge de procréer à Kinshasa, capitale de la RDC, et que la pratique de ces avortements était significativement plus souvent observée chez les femmes célibataires, séparées, ou divorcées, chez celles n’ayant pas étudié ou n’ayant fait que l’école primaire, et chez les consommatrices d'alcool, pour la plupart au moyen de doses élevées de médicaments administrées par les femmes elles-mêmes ou par des agents de santé. Un peu plus de la moitié de ces avortements avaient entraîné des complications, principalement hémorragiques, infectieuses, et traumatiques. Les patientes présentant ces complications représentaient entre 12,4 et 17,3% de l’ensemble des admissions dans les services de gynéco-obstétrique des structures sanitaires de référence du niveau secondaire, et environ 12,2% dans celle du niveau tertiaire. Dans ces structures, la durée médiane d'hospitalisation était de 9 à 10 jours, significativement plus longue pour des patientes ayant subi une intervention chirurgicale pour pelvipéritonite post perforation utérine que pour celles ayant subi une césarienne ou une hystérectomie. De plus, cette durée était significativement plus longue pour des patientes traitées pour d’autres types de complication post-abortive, que celles traitées pour un avortement spontané. Le taux de mortalité lié à ces complications était de 2,3 à 11,3% dans les structures du niveau secondaire, et de 37,8% dans celle du niveau tertiaire.La mise en place de la stratégie standard des soins après avortement dans les structures sanitaires de référence du niveau secondaire de la ville de Kinshasa a significativement amélioré la fréquence de la pratique de l’Aspiration Manuelle Intra-Utérine qui est passée de moins de 25% à 32−82% dans les structures expérimentales (p=0,025) au détriment de dilatation-curetage, ainsi que la durée d’hospitalisation des patientes admises pour une complication d’avortement provoqué (1 jour de moins dans les structures expérimentales, p=0,020). Par contre, elle n’a pas eu d’effets significatifs sur l’utilisation des services relatifs aux complications d’avortement provoqué, la létalité, et l’offre effective de la contraception moderne post avortement.Pour ce qui est des obstacles au succès des interventions qui visent l’amélioration de la prise en charge des complications des avortements provoqués dans les structures sanitaires de référence de la ville de Kinshasa, il y a notamment la culture, les normes sociales préétablies, la défaillance de l’éducation, le manque des moyens financiers, l’automédication, le manque d’un personnel formé, l’indiscrétion dans les structures sanitaires officielles, et les influences des pharmaciens/vendeurs des médicaments, des tradipraticiens, et des certains pasteurs.Conclusion :Les études présentées dans cette thèse ont montré que la pratique des avortements provoqués était fréquente à Kinshasa, capitale de la RDC, et que les complications survenaient dans plus de la moitié des cas, lesquelles complications n’étaient pas correctement prises en charge dans les structures sanitaires de référence et menaient à un décès dans plus de 5% de l’ensemble des cas. Ces études ont, en plus, permis de mettre en évidence une insuffisance des résultats de la stratégie standard des soins après avortement implémentée par le Ministère de la Santé Publique via le Programme National de Santé de la Reproduction, et de proposer une série d’actions de réajustementSummaryContext:Induced abortions are a public health problem because of their frequency, the occurrence of complications, and the resulting mortality and morbidity. Deaths can thus represent up to 18% of maternal deaths. Very little relative data is available for the DRC, although this country shows a very high maternal mortality with a ratio that went from 546 to 1188 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births from 2007 to 2016 despite the improvement in accessibility, and use of maternal health services from 2001 to 2014.Goal:Analyze the complications of induced abortions and the effects of integrating the standard postabortion care strategy into referral health structures in the city of Kinshasa, capital of the DRC.Methods:The analysis of complications from induced abortions included three cross-sectional studies. The first study determined the prevalence of induced abortions and related complications. The second and third analyzed the cases of complications from induced abortions admitted to the referral health structures in Kinshasa at the secondary and tertiary level. Then, the analysis of the effects of integrating the standard postabortion care strategy into referral health facilities in the city of Kinshasa included a quasi-experimental study with a before-after-comparative design. In addition, a qualitative study was carried out to help produce a postabortion care model adapted to the city of Kinshasa.Results:Our studies show that the rate of induced abortions in 2015 was 55 per 1000 women of childbearing age in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, and that the practice of these abortions was significantly more observed among single, separated or divorced women, those with no or only primary school education, and among female alcohol users, mostly with high doses of drugs administered by women themselves or by health workers. Just over half of these abortions resulted in complications, mainly hemorrhagic, infectious, and traumatic. Patients with these complications represented between 12.4 and 17.3% of all admissions to the gyneco-obstetrics departments of referral health facilities at the secondary level, and around 12.2% at tertiary level. In these facilities, the median duration of hospitalization was 9-10 days, and this period of time was significantly longer for the patients who underwent surgery for pelvic peritonitis due to uterine perforation compared with the patients who underwent Caesarean section/hysterectomy. Furthermore, it was significantly longer for the patients who were treated for other inducedabortion related complications compared with patients treated for spontaneous abortion. The mortality rate associated with these complications was 2.3-11.3% at secondary level facilities, and 37.8% at tertiary level facilities.The implementation of the standard postabortion care strategy in the referral health facilities at the secondary level of the city of Kinshasa has significantly improved the frequency of the practice of Manual Intrauterine Aspiration, which has gone from less than 25% at 32−82% in the experimental structures (p = 0.025) to the detriment of dilation-curettage, as well as the length of hospitalization of patients admitted for a complication of induced abortion (1 day less in the experimental structures, p = 0.020). However, it did not have a significant effect on the use of services related to induced abortion complications, the lethality, and the effective supply of modern postabortion contraception.Finally, with regard to the obstacles to the success of interventions aimed at improving the management of complications from induced abortions in referral health facilities in the city of Kinshasa, there is in particular the culture, the standards social pre-established, lack of education, lack of financial means, self-medication, lack of trained staff, indiscretion in official health structures, and the influences of pharmacists / drug sellers, traditional healers, and some pastors.Conclusion:The studies presented in this thesis showed that the practice of induced abortions was frequent in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, and that complications occurred in more than half of the cases, which complications were not well managed in the referral health facilities and led to death in more than 5% of cases. These studies have, in addition, made it possible to highlight an inadequacy of the results of the standard postabortion care strategy implemented by the Ministry of Public Health via the National Reproductive Health Program, and to propose a series of actions. readjustmentDoctorat en Sciences de la santé Publiqueinfo:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Analysis of induced abortion-related complications in women admitted to the Kinshasa reference general hospital: A tertiary health facility, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background: Due to a lack of relevant data on induced abortions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as well as the persistence of maternal deaths in the country, this study aims to analyse the induced abortion-related complications in women who were admitted to the Kinshasa Reference General Hospital (KRGH). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 368 obstetric and gynecological patients who were admitted, as emergency cases, to the KRGH during 2014. This health facility was selected because it is a tertiary health facility with an obstetric and gynecological emergency unit most used in the city of Kinshasa. Patient data were collected from patient records and analyzed. Results: From the 368 patients admitted to receive obstetric and gynecological emergency care services in 2014 at the KRGH, 12.2% (95% CI: 9.1-16.1%) had complications due to induced abortion that was significantly diagnosed to adolescents (p < 0.001), single or separated or divorced women or widow(p < 0.001), and to patients with history of one or several induced abortions(p < 0.001). The median duration of hospitalization was ten days and this period of time was significantly longer for the patients who underwent surgery for pelvic peritonitis due to uterine perforation(p < 0.001) compared with the group of patients who underwent Caesarean section/hysterectomy. The mortality rate related to them is 37.8% (95% CI: 23.8-53.5%) with an increase of risk of death in the presence of a post-abortive pelvic peritonitis-type complication, 56.3% of deaths occurred after two days of hospitalization. Conclusion: The complications of induced abortions are a major public health problem due to its frequency among patients admitted to the KRGH, as well as the poor medical management, and mortality percentage related to them. Therefore, there is a need to understand the reason for the poor medical management to fill in and provide an adequate intervention package.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Analysis of induced abortion-related complications in women admitted to referral health facilities in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Due to a lack of relevant data on induced abortions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as the persistence of maternal deaths in the country, this study aims to analyze the extent and characteristics of induced abortion-related complications in women who were admitted to referral health facilities in Kinshasa, including the duration of hospitalization, the mortality rate due to induced abortion complications and their characteristics, and the deaths that occurred after two days of hospitalization.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Extent of induced abortions and occurrence of complications in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Due to a lack of relevant data on induced abortions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as well as the persistence of maternal deaths in the country, this study aims to analyse the extent of induced abortions and occurrence of complications in Kinshasa.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Effects of implementing a postabortion care strategy in Kinshasa referral hospitals, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

To evaluate the effects of the implementation of a postabortion care (PAC) strategy in Kinshasa referral hospitals, this study analyzed the quality of postabortion care services, including postabortion contraception, and the duration of hospitalization.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Knowledge of Obstetric Danger Signs among Pregnant Women in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

A lack of awareness regarding obstetric danger signs (ODS) is one of the factors that delay a pregnant woman’s decision to seek emergency obstetric care. In developing countries, this delay can lead to high morbidity and mortality among pregnant women. In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), very few studies have been conducted to assess the level of knowledge of pregnant women about ODS. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge of pregnant women about ODS in health facilities in eastern DRC. This quantitative cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted in 19 health facilities in the Kasongo health zone in the south Maniema Province of eastern DRC. A total of 624 pregnant women aged 12–49 years were interviewed in this study. Of these, 60.6% were secondary school graduates, >99% were married, 85.5% were cultivators, and 67.9% were Muslims. The knowledge of ODS among pregnant women was low (21.9%). The most cited danger signs during pregnancy, labor/delivery, and postpartum included severe abdominal pain and severe vaginal bleeding. Additionally, pregnant women aged 30–39 years (p = 0.015) and those who had given birth once (p = 0.049), twice (p = 0.003), 3–5 times (p = 0.004), and >5 times (p = 0.009) were more likely to be aware of ODS than others. Our findings indicated that pregnant women have little knowledge of ODS, which makes it difficult for them to take prompt decisions to seek emergency obstetric care. Thus, strategies to increase the knowledge of pregnant women about obstetrical danger signs by healthcare providers during prenatal consultations (antenatal care) must be developed to improve their rapid decision-making skills during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum

Maternal mortality study in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

International audienceAbstract Background The reduction of maternal mortality in developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) still raises many questions. Indeed, this large country in the heart of Africa ranks 4th among the eight countries that alone account for more than 50% of maternal deaths in the world, behind India, Nigeria and Pakistan. However, there is no up-to-date data on maternal mortality in eastern DRC. This study measures the mortality rate rate in health facilities in eastern DRC and identifies the associated risk factors. Methods This analytical epidemiological study was based on retrospective data materna deaths recorded in 59 health facilities, in three health zones in the southern part of Maniema province in east DRC. The study was conducted from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020. Descriptive, bi and multivariate analyses were used. Results The maternal mortality rate was estimated at 620 deaths per 100,000 live births, of which 46% of maternal deaths were related to a parturients’ delayed decision in seeking healthcare in time (first delay). Maternal deaths were significantly associated with extreme ages (≤ 19 years and ≥ 40 years: p = < 0.001), patient parity (in primigravidas and in large multiparas: p = 0.001), complications such as hemorrhagic, ( p = < 0.001), uterine ruptures:( p = < 0.001), infections, ( p = < 0.001), and dystocia ( p = < 0.001). Conclusion Despite the efforts made by the DRC and its partners in the fight against maternal mortality, women continue to lose their lives when they decide to give birth. The results imply that it is imperative to strengthen both women and health professionals’ knowledge about pregnancy and maternal health and their power to reduce instances of first delay by supporting women in formulating their birth plans

Simplified antibiotic regimens for young infants with possible serious bacterial infection when the referral is not feasible in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction Neonates with serious bacterial infections should be treated with injectable antibiotics after hospitalization, which may not be feasible in many low resource settings. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a guideline for the management of young infants (0- 59 days old) with possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) when referral for hospital treatment is not feasible. We evaluated the feasibility of the WHO guideline implementation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to achieve high coverage of PSBI treatment. Methods From April 2016 to March 2017, in a longitudinal, descriptive, mixed methods implementation research study, we implemented WHO PSBI guideline for sick young infants (0-59 dyas of age) in the public health programme setting in five health areas of North and South Ubangi Provinces with an overall population of about 60,000. We conducted policy dialogue with national and sub-national level government planners, decision-makers, academics and other stakeholders. We established a Technical Support Unit to provide implementation support. We built the capacity of health workers and managers and ensured the availability of necessary medicines and commodities. We followed infants with PSBI signs up to 14 days. The research team systematically collected data on adherence to treatment and outcomes. Results We identified 3050 live births and 285 (9.3%) young infants with signs of PSBI in the study area, of whom 256 were treated. Published data have reported 10% PSBI incidence rate in young infants. Therefore, the estimated coverage of treatment was 83.9% (256/305). Another 426 from outside the study catchment area were also identified with PSBI signs by the nurses of a health centre within the study area. Thus, a total of 711 young infants with PSBI were identified, 285 (40%) 7-59 days old infants had fast breathing (pneumonia), 141 (20%) 0-6 days old had fast breathing (severe pneumonia), 233 (33%) had signs of clinical severe infection (CSI), and 52 (7%) had signs of critical illness. Referral to a hospital was advised to 426 (60%) infants with CSI, critical illness or severe pneumonia. The referral was refused by 282 families who accepted simplified antibiotic treatment on an outpatient basis at the health centres. Treatment failure among those who received outpatient treatment occurred in 10/128 (8%) with severe pneumonia, 25/147 (17%) with CSI, including one death, and 2/7 (29%) young infants with a critical illness. Among 285 infants with pneumonia, 257 (90%) received oral amoxicillin treatment, and 8 (3%) failed treatment. Adherence to outpatient treatment was 98% to 100% for various PSBI sub-categories. Among 144 infants treated in a hospital, 8% (1/13) with severe pneumonia, 23% (20/86) with CSI and 40% (18/45) with critical illness died. Conclusion Implementation of the WHO PSBI guideline when a referral was not possible was feasible in our context with high coverage. Without financial and technical input to strengthen the health system at all levels, including the community and the referral level, it may not be possible to achieve and sustain the same high treatment coverage.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Perspective piece effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes in Africa: An AFREhealth call for evidence through multicountry research collaboration

© 2021 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene In the African context, there is a paucity of data on SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated COVID-19 in pregnancy. Given the endemicity of infections such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis (TB) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), it is important to evaluate coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 and their impact on maternal/infant outcomes. Robust research is critically needed to evaluate the effects of the added burden of COVID-19 in pregnancy, to help develop evidence-based policies toward improving maternal and infant outcomes. In this perspective, we briefly review current knowledge on the clinical features of COVID-19 in pregnancy; the risks of preterm birth and cesarean delivery secondary to comorbid severity; the effects of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the fetus/neonate; and in utero mother-to-child SARS-CoV-2 transmission. We further highlight the need to conduct multicountry surveillance as well as retrospective and prospective cohort studies across SSA. This will enable assessments of SARS-CoV-2 burden among pregnant African women and improve the understanding of the spectrum of COVID-19 manifestations in this population, which may be living with or without HIV, TB, and/or other coinfections/comorbidities. In addition, multicountry studies will allow a better understanding of risk factors and outcomes to be compared across countries and subregions. Such an approach will encourage and strengthen much-needed intra-African, south-to-south multidisciplinary and interprofessional research collaborations. The African Forum for Research and Education in Health\u27s COVID-19 Research Working Group has embarked upon such a collaboration across Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa