Background. Ethnopharmacological studies are relevant for sustaining and improving knowledge of traditional medicine within the framework of complementary/alternative therapeutic practices based solely on experience and observation across generations. Hypertension is a common cardiovascular disorder affecting more than 50% of older people in Africa (PLoS One. 2019; 14 (4): e0214934; published online on April 5, 2019, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214934). Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional survey from October 2014 to August 2015 with 18 renowned traditional healers from the city of Bukavu to capture botanical plant species and remedies used by herbalists to manage hypertension in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Results. Respondents cited 41 plant species belonging to 25 botanical families. The ten most common plants are Allium sativum, Galinsoga ciliata, Moringa oleifera, Bidens pilosa, Persea americana, Piper capense, Catharanthus roseus, Rauvolfia vomitoria, Sida rhombifolia, and Vernonia amygdalina. The parts used are primary leaves (48.8%) formulated as oral decoctions (65.9%). Conclusion. The literature review validated the use of 73.2% of the plants listed. Plants of high local use-value not supported by other studies deserve in-depth chemical and pharmacological studies.

Background Bacterial strains carrying multidrug resistance traits are gaining ground worldwide, especially in countries with limited resources. This study aimed to evaluate the spreading of multidrug-resistant bacteria strains in Bukavu city hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods We analyzed 758 antibiogram data recorded in files of patients consulted between January 2016 and December 2017 at three reference hospitals selected as sentinel sites, namely the Panzi General Reference Hospital (HGP), BIO -PHARM hospital (HBP), and Saint Luc Clinic (CSL). Results Of 758 isolates tested, the laboratories identified 12 bacterial strains in 712 isolates, of which 223(29.42%) presented MDR profile, including Escherichia coli (11.48%), Klebsiella pneumonia (6.07%), Enterobacter (5.8%), Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (1.58%), Proteus mirabilis (1.85%), Salmonella enterica (1.19%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.53%), Streptococcus pneumonia (0.4%)), Citrobacter (0.13%), Neisseria gonorrhea (0.13%), Enterococcus faecalis (0.13%) and Morganella morganii (0.13%). Infected patients were significantly adults (73.1% vs. 21.5%) compared to children and mainly women (63.7% vs. 30.9%; p = 0.001). Conclusion The observed expansion requires that hospital therapeutic committees set up an effective clinical management system and define the right combinations of antibiotics.

Background Health issues are associated with artisanal mining in the DR Congo. The scenario is worst when artisanal mining is done informally or with limited material and technical resources. This paper argues that the adoption of healthy practices by artisanal miners might be limited given that it involves unrealistic socio-economic, and administrative aspects and access to health risk prevention means. Making a conceptual framework on the feasibility of revolutionizing artisanal mining practices linked to health risks in the DR Congo requires trans-disciplinary interventions and researches. This case study aims at co-analyzing with actors in the Luhihi artisanal gold mine, the epidemiology of health issues. It also aims at describing the dynamics of resources that mining actors mobilize or think they can mobilize in order to prevent health risks. Methods A “socio-anthropological” qualitative study with “transdisciplinary methods” was carried out the Luhihi artisanal mining. Data collection tools and methods included an exploratory survey, semi-structured interviews. Focus groups (FG) mixed with proportional piling were used to support the open-ended interview discussions. The actors interviewed were selected by “convenience sampling” and the saturation principle indicated the size of the sampling. In total, 67 persons were interviewed and 5 FG each consisting of 5 to 10 mining actors were organized. Data were triangulated among respondents to ensure their veracity and an “inductive thematic data analysis” was applied. Results Key findings are the role of actors involved the organization system at the Luhihi artisanal mining site; a description of a participative epidemiology and determinants of health issues; presentation of the importance of health risks as perceived by mining actors; the constraints in the common illenesses treatment; and opportunities of collective actions for gathering resources required for the organization of healthcare services. Conclusion The results are translated into a grid of powers and interests in relation to the mobilization of resources for the prevention and treatment of health issues. The dialogue for change regarding the ignorance of the actors to exposure to chemical risks such as to exposure mercury, silica, carbon monoxide, and cyanide also entailed the translation of the results. In addition, an analysis of the ability of artisanal mining actors to implement health risk prevention services was made.

Background: environmental health issues are associated with artisanal mining in DR Congo, particularly when it is practiced informally or with limited material and technical resources. This paper argues that the adoption of positive practices involves socio-economic and administrative aspects that may limit artisanal miners' adherence and access to the means of health risk prevention practices. There is a need to mobilize trans-disciplinary interventions and research to co-produce the conceptual framework on the feasibility of reforming artisanal mining practices linked to health risks in DR Congo. This case study aimed to co-construct with actors in the Luhihi artisanal gold mine, in South Kivu, their perceptions and the importance they give to health risks as well as to describe the dynamics of resources to prevent health risks that actors in the mine mobilize or think they are able to mobilize.Methods: a " socio-anthropological” qualitative study with "transdisciplinary methods" was conducted. The data collection tools and methods used included an exploratory survey, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups mixed with proportional piling to support the open-ended interview discussions. The actors interviewed were selected by “convenience sampling” and the saturation principle indicated the size of the sampling. A total of 67 people was interviewed at the Luhihi and we organized 5 Focus Groups (FG) with 5 to 10 mining actors. The data were triangulated to ensure their veracity and an “inductive thematic data analysis” was applied. Results: the key findings are the role of actors involved in the system of interest at the Luhihi artisanal mining site; a description of a participatory health risks epidemiology at the mining site; presentation of the perceived importance given to health risks by actors, the constraints in the organization of healthcare services and the sources of medical care resources; and opportunities of collective action to prevent health risks at the mining site.Conclusion: the results are translated into a grid of powers and interests in relation to the mobilization of resources for the prevention and treatment of health risks and the contribution to the dialogue for change regarding the ignorance of the actors in the mine of exposure to chemical risks such as exposure to mercury, silica, carbon monoxide, and cyanide. Also, an analysis of whether artisanal mining actors in DR Congo would be able to organize health risk prevention services in the mining sector.