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Bakers are at high risk of rhinitis and asthma, but the prevalence of these occupational diseases is not well known in Sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the prevalence of occupational rhinitis and asthma among industrial bakers in the former province of Katanga. In a cross-sectional study conducted in eight towns from October 2018 to September 2019, we included 276 male workers from 18 industrial bakeries and 113 male controls (35 butchers and 78 bread sellers), all nonsmokers. Participants replied to a validated questionnaire (European Community of Respiratory Health Survey II), administered face to face, and performed spirometry at the work place. In 15 bakers with symptoms of work-related asthma, records of self-measured peak expiratory flow (PEF) 4 times per day during 4 weeks were analyzed by the OASYS (Occupational Asthma System) protocol. The bakers and controls did not differ by age (32.2 ± 7.3 y vs 32.8 ± 10.3 y). According to the questionnaire, work-related rhinitis and asthma were significantly more prevalent among bakers (31% and 5%, respectively) than among controls (2% and 0%, respectively). However, the groups did not differ significantly with regard to spirometric parameters. Based on PEF records, 10 out of 15 were positive for occupational asthma (OASYS score > 2.5), so the rate of occupational asthma was 3.6% in this study. This first study in DR Congo demonstrates the existence of occupational rhinitis and asthma among industrial bakers in Katanga. Further epidemiological studies are needed to clarify the extent and risk factors of baker’s asthma in the area. In the meantime, advocacy and implementation of appropriate occupational hygiene measures are warranted to protect bakery workers in DR Congo.

The impact of concurrent exposure to neurotoxic metals is a significant threat to brain function, mostly in contexts of multiple exposures as seen in the developing world. Ninety-five children (46 boys and 49 girls, 6 to 11-year old) from Congo-Kinshasa were assessed for cognition using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (2nd edition) and exposure to Cr, Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, As, Cd, Se, Hg, Fe, and Pb by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) in serum and urine collections. Concentrations of elements were all above normal ranges except for Cd, Se and Hg. General linear mixed effects models were used to predict neurocognitive outcomes with variable selection methods including backward elimination, elastic net, or subsets identified based on subject matter expertise. After adjusting for sex, age, and SES, urinary Co > 5 μg/l was associated with poor simultaneous processing (memory) (p = 0.0237). Higher excretion but normal concentration of Cd in serum was associated with better memory (p = 0.03), planning (p = 0.05), and overall performance scores (p < 0.01); thus appeared to be neuroprotective. However, higher excretion of Zn had negative influence on the overall performance scores (p = 0.02). Predictive neurotoxicology is a challenging task in contexts of multiple and concurrent exposures. Urinary Co > 5 μg/l is a risk factor for poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in such contexts. The impact of heavy metals on cognition is dependent on concentrations of and interactions between toxic and essential elements.

Background The prevalence of HIV-serodiscordant couples is increasing. In these couples, one member is infected with HIV and the other one is not, so HIV testing for both members of the couple remains one of the significant challenges in the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV within the couple. The aim of this study was to analyze couples’ attitudes toward HIV testing after prenatal HIV testing offered to pregnant women and analyze the males’ behavior with regard to their own HIV testing. Methods One hundred and forty-three pregnant women and their partners were interviewed in the Lubumbashi health district in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The usual descriptive statistics were applied. Results Seventy-one percent of the couples declared that they accepted the HIV testing proposed to the woman and approximately 64% of the couples said they had discussed the HIV testing proposed in prenatal healthcare clinics. However, this dialogue seemed to have a poor impact on the HIV testing of the male partner: no male partner was tested in spite of the high proportion of men encouraged to do so. Nearly 30% and 50% of the couples disagreed on systematic condom use and the need for the husband's permission to undergo HIV testing, respectively. Twenty-nine percent of the couples did not wish to have the male sexual partner present at the prenatal consultation. Conclusion The majority of men considered that their wife's HIV testing gives them information about their own HIV status and this makes HIV testing difficult for both members of the couple. Better management of the couple in HIV screening and prevention programs therefore seems necessary.

Background HIV-1 testing and counselling are essential activities that must be integrated into mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention programs (PMTCT) in order to identify women who can benefit from the treatment, immediately or later and from interventions that can prevent HIV in their infants. The aim of this study was to describe how women's attitudes influence acceptance of HIV-1 testing in the context of antenatal care. Methods Four hundred and thirty-nine women attending antenatal care clinics offering HIV-1 testing in the health district of Lubumbashi in Democratic Republic of Congo were included in the study. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaire. Women were asked to give their consent for a home visit and interview of their partners; 143 agreed to participate. Statistical analyses were carried out using Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results The proportion of pregnant women who declared that they would accept HIV testing was 76.5%. Non-married women (p = 0.046), women who had never carried out a former HIV test (p Conclusion Improving counselling and a policy of HIV counselling and testing integrating a couple components could help to overcome obstacles to the integration of the women within PMTCT programs and help improve acceptance of HIV testing.

Introduction:l'onchocercose constitue un problème majeur de santé publique et l'on a noté environ 13 millions de personnes affectées et 26 millions exposées au cours de l'année 2012 en RDC. L'objectif de notre étude est fournir les données sur le niveau de connaissance, d'attitudes et des pratiques de la communauté huit ans après le lancement de la distribution de l'ivermectine sous directives communautaires. Méthodes:il s'agit d'une étude descriptive transversale dans la communauté de l'aire de santé SAMBWA de la zone de santé de KAFUBU. La population cible de l'étude est toute personne de la communauté âgée de 15 à 65 ans. Les paramètres étudiés sont: âge, niveau d'instruction, connaissance de la maladie en langue locale et des signes, attitudes devant les personnes atteintes, perception de la maladie, utilisation des pratiques traditionnelles, association entre le niveau d'instruction et la connaissance de savoir si l'on peut suivre un traitement. Résultats:la moyenne d'âge des répondants était de 38±14 ans et 67,54% des enquêtés étaient de niveau primaire. L'étude a montré que 99,53 % des répondants connaissaient le terme onchocercose en langue locale (UBUMFUKU) et un niveau moyen de connaissance en ce qui concerne les lésions de la peau (66,9%) était noté. 1,9% des répondants craignaient les personnes atteintes et 42,2% des répondants percevaient l'onchocercose comme une maladie. Une proportion de 55% qui prenaient les plantes comme médicament. Il y avait association significative entre le niveau d'instruction et la connaissance de suivre un traitement contre l'onchocercose (p: 0,008). Conclusion:ces résultats interpellent en ce qui concerne la sensibilisation de la communauté sur l'onchocercose. Les stratégies de lutte contre l'onchocercose devraient prendre en compte ces différentes insuffisances de la communauté pour améliorer le traitement des masses par l'ivermectine tant au niveau du ménage que des coordinations de programme de lutte.