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Good practice on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors is based on good knowledge and a positive attitude. The study aims to assess cardiovascular risk and knowledge, attitudes and practices of hypertensive patients in Kinshasa on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors as well as their associated determinants. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 345 hypertensive patients followed at Monkole Hospital and at Saint-Joseph Hospital in the city of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from September 2017 to February 2018. The participants were submitted to the WHO-Steps survey. Cardiovascular risk was assessed by the number of deleterious risk factors present in patients. Descriptive and inferential analyzes were performed. The statistical significance threshold was set at p<0.05. The average age of the participants was 62.1±11.2 years with a gender ratio of 1.1 in favor of women. In total, 61%, 56% and 60% of our respondents had, respectively, a low level of knowledge, a bad attitude and an insufficient practice on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Good knowledge was statistically significantly linked to education, the medical profession as a source of information, and employment. Only age ≥ 60 years was significantly associated with the right attitude in our patients while good practice was linked to the level of education. The majority of participants (80.3%) had a high cardiovascular risk. Poor knowledge (p: 0.032) and insufficient overall practice (p<0.001) were significantly associated with high cardiovascular risk. The present study showed that hypertension was associated with a high Cardiovascular risk underpinned by a low level of knowledge, a bad attitude and insufficient practice on modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, education programs and strategies to positively influence attitudes and practices are essential to reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in our environment.

Background: In developing countries, access to modern contraceptive methods remains a concern, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although satisfactory progress in increasing family planning use has been observed worldwide, demand and unmet need continue to grow. This study describes the different reasons that push women in rural and urban areas of Kongo Central province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to choose one of the modern contraceptive methods. Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study on the 705 clients recruited during the family planning mini-campaigns organized from January to March 2021 in 8 health zones of the Kongo Central Province in DRC. Community Contraceptive Methods Distributors (CCMD) collected the data, community health workers (CHW) trained in clinical providers' community family planning service. The Pearson's Chi 2 test was used to compare the proportions of the methods chosen in the different study variables categories, and logistic regression was done to analyze the strength of association between the uses of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) with the study variables. Results: The mean age (SD) of the clients was 25.7 years. The median number of living children was 2 children and that of pregnancies carried per client was 3. Three (3) clients under the age of 20 out of 126 (2.4%) have 3 to 4 living children and one a up to 6 living children. Out of a total of 705 clients, 11.1% aged under 20 and 39.1% of clients aged 20 to 24 requested LARC. Divorced and unmarried women chose SAC and married and common-law women chose LARC more, compared to other categories of women. Unemployed women prefer SACs more than other professional categories, and women farmers prefer LARC. The level of education has no influence on the choice of method.

Introduction. Successful prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) requires early diagnosis, consistent access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and regular health care during and after pregnancy. This study assessed the determinants of early HIV diagnosis by children born to HIV-positive (HIV+) mothers in the Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methodology. Data from 230 HIV+ mothers screened under the PMTCT program between July 2015 and December 2017 were extracted from the databases of 31 Health Zones (HZ) of Kongo Central province. Data detailing laboratory and anthropometric findings, morbidity, and mortality were collected from each exposed child. The determinants of inaccessibility to early diagnosis were identified using logistic regression. Results. The mothers' mean age was 32.4 years, and 90.9% were on ART; 68.8% of children were older than 12 months at diagnosis. Diagnosis during the first 6 months of the child's life was critical. Malnutrition was found in almost 90% of the children. Determinants of non-access to an early diagnosis were mothers who attained a primary education level and did not disclose their HIV status. Conclusion. All possible interventions should be considered to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. To ensure a child's survival to their first birthday, early diagnosis should be performed soon after birth to an HIV+ mother and ART should be initiated.

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