BackgroundIn early 2016, we implemented a community-based maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) surveillance using mobile phones to collect, analyze, and use data by village health volunteers (VHV) in Kenge Health Zone (KHZ), in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The objective of this study was to determine the perceptions of households, attitudes of community health volunteers, and opinions of nurses in Health center and administrative authorities towards the use of mobile phones for MNCH surveillance in the rural KHZ in the DRC.MethodsWe used mixed methods combining phenomenological and descriptive cross-sectional study. Between 3 and 24 March 2016, we collected the data through focus group discussions (FGD) with households, and structured interviews with VHV, local health and administrative authority, and nurses to explore the perceptions on MNCH surveillance using mobile phone. Data from the FGD and interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques and descriptive statistics respectively.ResultsHealth issues and services for under-five children were well known by community; however, beliefs and cultural norms contributed to the practices of seeking behavior for households. Mobile phones were perceived as devices that render quick services for people who needed help; and the community’s attitudes towards the mobile phone use for collection of data, analysis, and use activities were good. Although some of community members did not see a direct linkage between this surveillance approach and health benefits, majority believed that there would be better MNCH services with the use of mobile phone. In addition, VHV will benefit from free healthcare for households and some material benefits and training. The best time to undertake these activities were in the afternoon with mother of the child, being the best respondent at the household.ConclusionHealth issues and services for under-five children are well known and MNCH surveillance using mobile phone by VHV in which the mother can be involved as respondent is accepted.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5186-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Background : Antiretroviral combination therapy is known as option B+ for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Administration of therapy is a task delegated to nurses and midwives who are involved in pre-and post-natal consultations in the health facilities that have integrated this intervention. This study was carried out to understand the perceptions of providers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo regarding the tasks delegated to them, and to identify the challenges they face in implementation of option B+.
Background and aim: Access to contraceptive methods remains low in the world in general and in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Data of these contraceptive methods in rural areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remain poorly known. The aim is to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of clients associated with purchasing contraceptives methods via different distribution system in Kongo Central province. Methods: Cross-sectional study including data from mini Lelo Family Planning contraceptive method distribution campaigns organized in 11 health zones of Kongo Central province, from January to March 2020 by community-based distributors (DBC), learner DBCs (DBCa), graduated DBCs (DBCg) and clinical providers (CP). Results: The median age of clients was 25 years old. A quarter of them were men and almost half of the clients were in a conjugal relationship and 46.5% were single. The majority (70.4%) had a high school education. The male condom was the most requested method during Lelo Family Planning, followed by implants. Natural methods remain the methods preferred by clients < 20 years and single; modern methods by those aged > 25 years. Among the hormonal methods, the implant was the most popular modern method, while the short and long-lasting injectable hormonal methods were more in demand by women < 25 years of age. Conclusion: Natural methods are still the most preferred among male clients despite the poor protection they provide. Modern methods have to be promoted for male's partners to assure better couple protection especially in rural area where maternal mortality remains high.
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.
Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is classified among the 5 countries with the highest global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and highest under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the world. Kasai is one of 14 provinces of the DRC, which have a high U5MR and MMR. Despite this overriding concern, almost no studies have been conducted to assess maternal et child situation in this province. The aim of this study was to assess access, availability, and quality of maternal and child health services in Kasai Province in the DRC. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 49 Health Facilities (HFs) integrating quantitative and qualitative data collection was conducted in 18 Health Zones in Kasai Province in the DRC. Documentary review, interviews and direct observation of HFs were performed to collect data. Pearson’s chi-squared test was performed to establish the relation between variables.Results: Nearly 54 % of visited HFs population had a geographical access to maternal and child health services and the majority of medical acts were unaffordable. Basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care (EmOC) were offered respectively by only 11.8% and 7.6% of HF and none provided high quality basic or comprehensive EmOC. This low availability and quality of EmOC are due to the insufficiency of necessary inputs and personal for maternal and child health services in the majority of HFs. Conclusion: The situation of maternal and child health services is very precarious in Kasai Province. The improvement of EmOC coverage will require rehabilitation of infrastructure, dotation of equipment, regular supply of medicines and strengthening of human resource capacity.
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