A cross-sectional study on water access within the Healthy Villages and Schools (VEA) program in the DRC

In DRC, the Healthy Villages and Schools (VEA) National Program consists of a community participatory process towards sustainable access to improved water services, hygiene and sanitation where villages and schools are certified “healthy” once they comply with 7 WASH specific norms. Through a mixed-methods survey of household questionnaires, water quality testing of source and stored water samples, mapping of water sources, and discussions with key informants, this study looked at VEA implementation in the Katana health zone, South Kivu province, to ascertain lessons learnt from the program. From 206 household surveys and 71 focus group discussions, it was determined that there are two primary barriers to effective water supply coverage: accessibility to a source within 30 minutes and delivery of water that conforms to WHO guidelines of <1 E. coli CFU/100mL. Additional demographic and WASH knowledge, attitudes, and practices outcomes as well as challenges associated with the VEA are discussed

Operational research on water safety plans: implementations in India, DRC, Fiji, and Vanuatu

Despite the promotion of Water Safety Plans (WSPs) as a comprehensive risk assessment and management strategy for water delivery, there is a lack of documented outcomes and impacts from this approach, particularly for community-managed supplies. Through a mixed-methods protocol of household surveys, water quality testing of source and stored water samples, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, this study looked at WSP implementation in four countries to ascertain lessons learnt from these programs. From 817 household surveys and 256 key informant discussions, it was determined that there was no clear evidence linking WSPs to improvements in water quality. However, interviews indicated improved capacity of local committees in understanding their water supply systems and in identifying key risks to the delivery of safe water. Additional outcomes of WSPs and challenges associated with their implementation are discussed

Glycated nail proteins as a new biomarker in management of the South Kivu Congolese diabetics

Introduction: Diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa, based on blood analyses, are hampered by infrastructural and cultural reasons. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of glycated nail proteins for diabetes mellitus. The second aim was to compare the course of short- and long-term glycemic biomarkers after 6 months of antidiabetic treatment. These objectives should support our hypothesis that glycated nail proteins could be used as an alternative glycemic biomarker. Materials and methods: This case-control study consisted of 163 black diabetics and 67 non-diabetics of the South Kivu (Democratic Republic of Congo). Diagnostic accuracy of glycated nail proteins was evaluated using ROC curve analysis. At the start of the study, glycated nail protein concentrations were compared between diabetics and non-diabetics, using a nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) colorimetric method. In a subgroup of 30 diabetics, concentrations of glycated nail proteins, fasting glucose (Accu-Chek® Aviva), serum fructosamine (NBT) and HbA1c (DCA-2000+®) were measured at start and after 6 months. Results: ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.71 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65-0.76) and a cut-off point of 3.83 µmol/g nail. Concentration of glycated nail proteins was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in diabetics in comparison with non-diabetics. After 6 months of antidiabetic treatment, a significant drop in the fasting glucose concentration (P = 0.017) and concentration of glycated nail proteins (P = 0.008) was observed in contrast to serum fructosamine and HbA1c. Conclusions: Measurement of glycated nail proteins could be used to diagnose and monitor diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa