14 research outputs found
The effectiveness of community volunteers in counting populations and assessing their nutritional vulnerability during armed conflict: district health in D.R. Congo, Central Africa
The study assessed the ability of community volunteers, working with district health officials, to conduct a local census to count the population in their villages and assess their nutritional vulnerability. The study involved organizing community volunteers in village nutrition committee and assigning them to count the village population in a Kivu rural health district (D.R.Congo) and assess their vulnerability in terms of nutrition. The study took place in March and April 2003, during armed conflict in the region. Community volunteers supervised by district health officials collected data, presented here as median proportions (with their Max and Min), by age category. The results show that community volunteers were able to conduct this census with reliable results. The population distribution by age category was similar to the national model from a survey by experts. The community volunteers estimated a median of 22.2 % (6.2-100 %) of households in each village in the eastern DR Congo were vulnerable and required foreign aid. Community volunteers can contribute accurately to the collection of demographic data to be used in health programme planning, thus allowing these data to be followed even during instability and armed conflicts.Objectif : Evaluer la capacité des relais communautaires opérant dans le domaine de la nutrition à contribuer au dénombrement de la population de leurs villages respectifs sous la coordination du district sanitaire. Méthodologie : Une étude quasi expérimentale, consistant à organiser les relais communautaires en comités villageois de nutrition et à les responsabiliser dans le dénombrement de la population de leurs villages respectifs, a été mise sur pied dans un district sanitaire rural du Kivu (RD Congo).
L’étude a été réalisée de mars à avril 2003 dans une situation de conflit armé. La collecte des données de la population a été assuée par les relais communautaires. Les médianes (minimum et maximum) des proportions observées par catégories d’âge ont été présentées. Résultats : Les relais ont été capables de faire un dénombrement de la population avec des résultats fiables. Les proportions de la population par catégorie d’âge observées se sont révélées similaires à celles du modèle national issu d’une enquête réalisée par des experts. Pour les relais communautaires, un pourcentage médian de 22,2 % (6,2-100 %) des ménages par village a été considéré comme
vulnérables dans le contexte de l’Est de la RD Congo, nécessitant par conséquent une aide extérieure. Conclusion : Les relais communautaires peuvent contribuer à la récolte de données démographiques fiables pouvant permettre de planifier des programmes de santé publique, et le suivi de l’évolution démographique même dans une situation d’instabilité et de conflit armé
Challenges on the valorisation of local knowledge: Preliminary assessments in the Rubi-Tele Hunting Area (DRC)
The management of protected areas (PAs) and their surrounding landscapes is generally associated with the response of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to biodiversity conservation and climate change. The general aim is to reduce deforestation and preserve biodiversity. This preliminary study aims to identify the local knowledge and potential challenges associated with their valorisation in the Rubi-Tele Hunting Area (RTHA), a PA in the northern DRC. The methodological approach included the combination of qualitative and quantitative elements through a triangulation approach, and results show that the collective memory of local communities retains traditional knowledge (practices, beliefs, and perceptions) that promote biodiversity preservation. Unfortunately, changes in the socio-economic situation of the country and the local context threaten this knowledge. Additionally, l’Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) has not tried to build on traditional knowledge memory to promote local biodiversity conservation. To avoid deforestation and a biodiversity crisis, the participatory approach can be useful for mainstreaming traditional/local knowledge in the management plan of protected areas of the DRC, such as RTHA
Molecular detection of arboviruses in Aedes mosquitoes collected from Kyela district, Tanzania
Arboviruses belong to a group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods,
mainly mosquitoes and ticks causing clinical disease symptoms in humans
and animals ranging from febrile illnesses to hemorrhagic fevers. The
present study aimed at examining the circulation of Chikungunya, Dengue,
Yellow fever and Rift valley fever viral genomes in Aedes mosquitoes from
Kyela district in Tanzania. A systematic vector surveillance spanning two
months and covering 5 sites in Kyela district was carried out in order to
evaluate the potential role of Aedes spp in arbovirus transmission in the
study area. Mosquitoes were collected, identified to species level by using
morphological keys, pooled in respect species and collection sites and
screened for arboviruses by RT-PCR. Adult mosquitoes were collected
from April to May, 2015 using CO
2
-baited CDC light traps, magnet traps
as well as human landing collection (HLC). The study sites included Kyela
town, Kajunjumele, Ipida, Matema and Njisi villages. A total of 480 bloodfeed
Aedes ssp were collected, identified and grouped in to 24 pools (1-20
mosquitoes per pool) according to species level and location. Out of the 480
Aedes spp collected, Aedes aegypti represented the most abundant species
totaling 338 (70.4%), followed by Aedes africanus 102 (21.2%) and Aedes
natalensis being the minority 40 (8.3%). Arboviruses were detected in 9
pools (37.5%) including Alphaviruses (8 pools) and Flaviviruses (1 pool).
No sample was positive for Bunyaviruses. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was
detected in 6 (75%) alphavirus positive pools that were collected mostly in
the areas where rice cultivation was common. The findings of this study
suggest that people from this region are highly likely to be exposed to
arbovirus infections which may represent significant public health concerns
Molecular detection of arboviruses in Aedes mosquitoes collected from Kyela district, Tanzania
Arboviruses belong to a group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods,
mainly mosquitoes and ticks causing clinical disease symptoms in humans
and animals ranging from febrile illnesses to hemorrhagic fevers. The
present study aimed at examining the circulation of Chikungunya, Dengue,
Yellow fever and Rift valley fever viral genomes in Aedes mosquitoes from
Kyela district in Tanzania. A systematic vector surveillance spanning two
months and covering 5 sites in Kyela district was carried out in order to
evaluate the potential role of Aedes spp in arbovirus transmission in the
study area. Mosquitoes were collected, identified to species level by using
morphological keys, pooled in respect species and collection sites and
screened for arboviruses by RT-PCR. Adult mosquitoes were collected
from April to May, 2015 using CO
2
-baited CDC light traps, magnet traps
as well as human landing collection (HLC). The study sites included Kyela
town, Kajunjumele, Ipida, Matema and Njisi villages. A total of 480 bloodfeed
Aedes ssp were collected, identified and grouped in to 24 pools (1-20
mosquitoes per pool) according to species level and location. Out of the 480
Aedes spp collected, Aedes aegypti represented the most abundant species
totaling 338 (70.4%), followed by Aedes africanus 102 (21.2%) and Aedes
natalensis being the minority 40 (8.3%). Arboviruses were detected in 9
pools (37.5%) including Alphaviruses (8 pools) and Flaviviruses (1 pool).
No sample was positive for Bunyaviruses. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was
detected in 6 (75%) alphavirus positive pools that were collected mostly in
the areas where rice cultivation was common. The findings of this study
suggest that people from this region are highly likely to be exposed to
arbovirus infections which may represent significant public health concerns
Malaria infection and nutritional status: results from a cohort survey of children from 6-59 months old in the Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
BACKGROUND:
Despite a reduction in the magnitude of endemic malaria reported in recent years, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) still remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa among children under five. The relationship between malaria and malnutrition remains a topic of controversy. We aimed to investigate malaria infection according to nutritional status in a community-based survey.
METHODS:
A cohort of 790 children aged 6 to 59 months and residing in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was followed-up from April 2009 to March 2010 with monthly visits. Data on nutritional status, morbidity between visits, use of insecticide-treated nets and malaria parasitemia were collected at each visit. The Z scores height for age, weight for age and weight for height were computed using the reference population defined by the WHO in 2006. Thresholds for Z scores were defined at -3 and -2. A binary logistic model of the generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to quantify the association between PEM indicators and malaria parasitemia. Odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were computed.
RESULTS:
After adjustment for season, children with severe stunting (height for age Z score<-3) were at lower risk of malaria parasitemia greater or equal to 5000 trophozoits/μL of blood as compared to those in with a better nutritional status (height for age Z score≥-2) (OR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.91).
CONCLUSION:
Severely stunted children are at a lower risk of high-level malaria parasitemia
Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in slaughtered cattle in Walungu territory, South Kivu Province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Austin Journal of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry; 2018; Vol. 5(1): 1039An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the
prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at
Kankinda and Mugogo Municipal abattoirs located in Walungu territory, South
Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Using qualitative
and quantitative coprological examination, 200 fecal samples were tested.
Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in only 148 samples tested giving
an overall prevalence of 74%. The most diversity class was nematodes with
four species, followed by trematode and cestode with two species in each, both
representing species abundances of 44.4%, 22.2% and 22.2% respectively and
only one protozoan species was identified (11.1%). However, the prevalence of
helminths in relation to sex and age group revealed no statistical difference at
P value >0.05. The exotic breed presented the highest infection rate of 72.5%
(OR=4.6, 95% CI: 1.9–11.1; p=0.0004) compared to the local breed. Similarly
high prevalence of helminthes was found in slaughtered cattle from local farms
90.6% (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–9.5; p=0.0001) compared to cattle imported from
Rwanda. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Eimeria bovis (74%),
followed by Schistosoma bovis (41%); Hymenolepis diminuta (39%); Toxocara
vitulorum (32.5%) and the least species observed were Fasciola gigantica (18%);
Strongyloides papillosus (11.5%); Trichonstrongylus sp (7%); Haemonchus
spp (6.5%); and Moniezia spp (6%). These findings reflect a growing burden
of gastrointestinal parasite infections at abattoir level. Therefore, a proper
management, improved hygiene and regular deworming practices should be
institutionalized for prevention and control of parasitic infections in livestock
Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in slaughtered cattle in Walungu territory, South Kivu Province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Austin Journal of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry; 2018; Vol. 5(1): 1039An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the
prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at
Kankinda and Mugogo Municipal abattoirs located in Walungu territory, South
Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Using qualitative
and quantitative coprological examination, 200 fecal samples were tested.
Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in only 148 samples tested giving
an overall prevalence of 74%. The most diversity class was nematodes with
four species, followed by trematode and cestode with two species in each, both
representing species abundances of 44.4%, 22.2% and 22.2% respectively and
only one protozoan species was identified (11.1%). However, the prevalence of
helminths in relation to sex and age group revealed no statistical difference at
P value >0.05. The exotic breed presented the highest infection rate of 72.5%
(OR=4.6, 95% CI: 1.9–11.1; p=0.0004) compared to the local breed. Similarly
high prevalence of helminthes was found in slaughtered cattle from local farms
90.6% (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–9.5; p=0.0001) compared to cattle imported from
Rwanda. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Eimeria bovis (74%),
followed by Schistosoma bovis (41%); Hymenolepis diminuta (39%); Toxocara
vitulorum (32.5%) and the least species observed were Fasciola gigantica (18%);
Strongyloides papillosus (11.5%); Trichonstrongylus sp (7%); Haemonchus
spp (6.5%); and Moniezia spp (6%). These findings reflect a growing burden
of gastrointestinal parasite infections at abattoir level. Therefore, a proper
management, improved hygiene and regular deworming practices should be
institutionalized for prevention and control of parasitic infections in livestock
Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in slaughtered cattle in Walungu Territory, South Kivu Province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Austin Journal of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, 2018; 5 (1): 1039An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the
prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at
Kankinda and Mugogo Municipal abattoirs located in Walungu territory, South
Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Using qualitative
and quantitative coprological examination, 200 fecal samples were tested.
Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in only 148 samples tested giving
an overall prevalence of 74%. The most diversity class was nematodes with
four species, followed by trematode and cestode with two species in each, both
representing species abundances of 44.4%, 22.2% and 22.2% respectively and
only one protozoan species was identified (11.1%). However, the prevalence of
helminths in relation to sex and age group revealed no statistical difference at
P value >0.05. The exotic breed presented the highest infection rate of 72.5%
(OR=4.6, 95% CI: 1.9–11.1; p=0.0004) compared to the local breed. Similarly
high prevalence of helminthes was found in slaughtered cattle from local farms
90.6% (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–9.5; p=0.0001) compared to cattle imported from
Rwanda. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Eimeria bovis (74%),
followed by Schistosoma bovis (41%); Hymenolepis diminuta (39%); Toxocara
vitulorum (32.5%) and the least species observed were Fasciola gigantica (18%);
Strongyloides papillosus (11.5%); Trichonstrongylus sp (7%); Haemonchus
spp (6.5%); and Moniezia spp (6%). These findings reflect a growing burden
of gastrointestinal parasite infections at abattoir level. Therefore, a proper
management, improved hygiene and regular deworming practices should be
institutionalized for prevention and control of parasitic infections in livestock
Infection palustre et état nutritionnel: résultats d'une cohorte d'enfants âgés de 6 à 59 mois au Kivu en République démocratique du Congo.
Despite a reduction in the magnitude of endemic malaria reported in recent years, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) still remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa among children under five. The relationship between malaria and malnutrition remains a topic of controversy. We aimed to investigate malaria infection according to nutritional status in a community-based survey.Comparative StudyEnglish AbstractJournal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe