The road towards sustainable control of schistosomiasis in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Pre-assessment of staff performance and material resources in endemic regions
Journal Title: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 4
Abstract
Objective: To improve knowledge and practice of health staff as well as the availability of material resources for diagnosis and management of schistosomiasis in two endemic provinces of DRC (Kinshasa and Bas-Congo). Methods: Structured interviews were performed using questionnaires with staff from 35 healthcare facilities in 9 health zones (HZ) of Kinshasa and 2 HZ in Bas-Congo. Results: Schistosomiasis was reported to be present in all the included HZ. Health staff knew the most important symptoms of schistosomiasis, but advanced symptoms were more accurately reported in Bas-Congo. Knowledge of symptoms related to schistosomiasis such as anemia (P = 0.0 115) and pollakiuria (P = 0.0 260) was statistically different in both two provinces. Kato-Katz technique and urine filtration were unavailable in both provinces. Parasitological diagnosis was mostly performed using the direct smear method. PZQ was available in 70% of the health facilities, all situated in Bas-Congo. Diagnosis and treatment mostly relied on symptoms and cost more in urban area than in rural. Conclusions: Though knowledge on schistosomiasis among health staff appears sufficient, substantial efforts still must be made to improve the availability of diagnostic tools and treatment in the health facilities in DRC.
Authors and Affiliations
Sylvie Linsuke, Liliane Mpabanzi, Sabin Nundu, Faustin Mukunda, Pascal Lutumba, Katja Polman
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP253323
- DOI 10.1016/j.apjtb.2017.01.026
- Views 65
- Downloads 0
Biological activities and medicinal properties of Gokhru (Pedalium murex L.)
Bada Gokhru (Pedalium murex L.) is perhaps the most useful traditional medicinal plant in India. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property and is thus commercially exploitable. During the last five decades,...
Spatial distribution and infection rate of leishmaniasis vectors (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Ardabil Province, Northwest of Iran
Objective: To determine the spatial distribution and infection rate of sand flies as vectors of Leishmania parasite in Ardabil province, northwest of Iran. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sand...
Proximate composition, nutritional values and phytochemical screening of Piper retrofractum vahl. fruits
Objective: To investigate the proximate and mineral composition of the Piper retrofractum (P. retrofractum) vahl. Fruit and to evaluate its total alkaloids, phenol and flavonoid. Methods: The proximate composition of P....
Potential therapeutic effects of thymoquinone on treatment of amphetamine abuse
None
Phytochemical composition of Caesalpinia crista extract as potential source for inhibiting cholinesterase and β-amyloid aggregation: Significance to Alzheimer's disease
Objective: To screen plant extract fractions and elucidate the components present in Caesalpinia crista (C. crista) leaves for cholinergic and anti-amyloidogenic activities for the treatment of Alzheimer's diseases. Meth...