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Objective: Official data on Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) show a low prevalence. This study assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the two main markets of Goma city, in the eastern DRC. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 454 sellers in Kituku and Virunga markets between September 1st and November 08th, 2021. Participants were asked to answer a questionnaire survey on COVID-19 symptoms and their attitudes against COVID-19, including whether they had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples was investigated using QuickZen®. Results: The median (minimum-maximum) age of participants was 27.4 years (13.4-88.3). Participants aged 15 to 40 years old made up 80.6 % of the participants enrolled in the study (n=454), with women accounting for 65.1 % of all participants. No participant in the study had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The overall crude and adjusted seroprevalence rates of antibodies anti-SARS-CoV-2 were 73.8 % (95 % CI 69.7-77.9) and 82.7 % (95 % CI 79.2 % -86.2 %), respectively. COVID-19 symptoms were absent for 43,1% (n = 332) of the participants with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. During the same period, none of the participants with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies required hospitalization. Conclusion: We discovered a high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-Cov-2 antibodies in the sellers at the two main Goma markets without any record of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. No severe COVID-19 symptoms were reported among participants.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes and associated risk factors in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Goma city, Idjwi, Ngungu and Rutshuru districts between April 2019 and February 2021. Were included, pregnant women between 24 to 28 weeks of amenorrhea who consented to participate in the study. Blood sugar, anthropometric parameters and obstetrical and family history were studied. Gestational diabetes was defined as blood glucose level between 92 and 125mg/dL.Results: The overall prevalence was 21.2% (n=391) and was higher in Rutshuru [27.2% (n=92)] and Goma [26.9% (n=134)] compared to Ngungu [10.0% (n=110)] (p=0.005). An increased risk was associated with a history of a newborn weighing ≥ 4000g [OR 2.4 95% CI (1.3 – 4.4)] or family diabetes [OR 2.9 95% CI (2.0 – 4.9)]. Median age in the pathological group was not different from that with normal blood glucose [25.0 (16.0 – 44.0) Vs 26.0 (16.0 – 44.0)] (p = 0.67). The prevalence tended to increase for pregnant women with a mid-upper arm circumference ≥ 280 mm [28.1% (n = 57)] Vs [19.3% (n=322)] if < 280 mm, [OR (95% CI)] [1.5 (0.9 - 2.3)] (p = 0.13).Conclusion: Gestattional diabetes was found in one out of five pregnant women regardless their age. The history of macrosomia birth and diabetes in the family were the main risk factors.

Objective To determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes and associated risk factors in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Goma city, Idjwi, Ngungu and Rutshuru districts between April 2019 and February 2021. Pregnant women between 24–28 weeks of amenorrhea who consented to participate in the study were included. Blood sugar, anthropometric parameters and obstetrical and family history were studied. Gestational diabetes was defined as blood glucose level between 92 and 125 mg/dL. Results The overall prevalence was 21.2% (n = 391) and was higher in Rutshuru [27.2% (n = 92)] and Goma [26.9% (n = 134)] compared to Ngungu [10.0% (n = 110)] (p = 0.005). An increased risk was associated with a history of a newborn weighing ≥ 4000 g [OR 2.4 95% CI (1.3 – 4.4)] or family diabetes [OR 2.9 95% CI (2.0 – 4.9)]. Median age in the pathological group was not different from that with normal blood glucose [25.0 (16.0 – 44.0) Vs 26.0 (16.0 – 44.0)] (p = 0.67). The prevalence tended to increase for pregnant women with a mid-upper arm circumference ≥ 280 mm [28.1% (n = 57)] Vs [19.3% (n = 322)] if < 280 mm, [OR (95% CI)] [1.5 (0.9—2.3)] (p = 0.13). Conclusion Gestational diabetes was found in one out of five pregnant women regardless their age. A history of macrosomia birth and diabetes in the family were the main risk factors.