The colliding epidemics of COVID-19, Ebola, and measles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nachega, Jean B.; Mbala-Kingebeni, Placide; Otshudiema, John Otokoye; Zumla, Alimuddin; Tamfum, Jean‐Jacques Muyembe

doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30281-3

Cited by 30 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…At the time of our survey, i.e., before COVID-19 had arrived in the area, many respondents proved to have very poor or no knowledge of the characteristics of COVID-19, and this did not correlate significantly with our pragmatic measure of SES. For instance, many respondents did not know the differences between COVID-19 and an endemic condition like malaria or the severe Ebola disease, of which the tenth outbreak was ongoing in the country [ 13 ]. Clearly, the majority of the participants were mainly concerned by the increasing food insecurity, i.e., obtaining their “daily food”.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Kuhangana

Mbayo

Kitenge

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Background. Public markets were exempted from the restrictive regulations instituted to limit the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the early stage of the pandemic, we assessed people’s knowledge, attitudes, and behavior on public markets towards COVID-19. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 16 to 29 April 2020 among sellers and customers frequenting the food sections of ten public markets in three large cities (Kolwezi, Likasi, and Lubumbashi) and one small town (Lwambo) of the former Katanga province. We administered a questionnaire on knowledge (about clinical characteristics, transmission and prevention) and on attitudes in relation to COVID-19. We also observed prevailing practices (hand-washing and mask-wearing). Results: Of the 347 included participants (83% women, 83% sellers), most had low socioeconomic status and a low level of education. Only 30% of participants had correct knowledge of COVID-19. The majority of the respondents (88%) showed no confidence in the government’s ability to manage the upcoming pandemic crisis. Nearly all respondents (98%) were concerned about the associated increase in food insecurity. Preventive practices were rarely in place. Conclusion: For an effective implementation of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, appropriate health education programs to improve knowledge and attitudes are warranted among the population frequenting public markets.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Kuhangana

Mbayo

Kitenge

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Displaced populations are often served by weak, fragmented and donor-dependent health systems that grapple with a multitude of health needs, many of which have been complicated or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic 8 . These include outbreaks of communicable disease, such as the simultaneous outbreaks of measles and Ebola besetting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea, malaria, malnutrition, routine childhood immunization programs, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and chronic conditions such as HIV infection and tuberculosis 8,[10][11][12] . Weak health infrastructures, including limited cold-chain capabilities, shortages of trained healthcare workers 10 and fragmented health-information systems 10 , pose perennial problems, particularly in remote areas where refugee camps are often located, and these challenges will complicate any future vaccine rollout.…”

Section: Ensuring Equitable Access In a Context Of Vaccine Scarcitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Leave no one behind: ensuring access to COVID-19 vaccines for refugee and displaced populations

Zärd

Lau

Bowser

et al. 2021

Nat Med

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“…Links developed during previous epidemics have proved useful. Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is repurposing infrastructure and staff trained to respond to Ebola outbreaks 8 . Seoul in South Korea is applying lessons from a 2015 outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), including improved coordination, scale-up of testing and use of technology for contact tracing.…”

Section: Mobilize Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cities: build networks and share plans to emerge stronger from COVID-19

Bai

Nagendra

Shi

et al. 2020

Nature

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C ities are epicentres of the COVID-19 pandemic. From Wuhan to Madrid to São Paulo, the scenes have been grim-wards bursting with patients, queues of refrigerated lorries acting as temporary mortuaries, food-bank lines snaking around empty streets. At the same time, people and animals have thronged streets and parks, while carbon emissions and smog levels have plummeted from New Mexico to Delhi. COVID-19 is still running its course. The immediate aftershocks-job losses, poverty, food scarcity-need addressing urgently. But much has been learnt. The experience is already motivating change. In May, mayors from 38 of the world's largest cities-including Hong Kong, Los Angeles in California and Durban in South Africaannounced a set of principles for redesigning their metropolises to be more sustainable and equitable. Combating climate change is one priority of the Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force. Milan, Paris, Bogota Responses to the pandemic in India's slums, Brazil's favelas and Africa's marketplaces show that networks play a crucial part in making cities more resilient. Let's enhance and empower them. Health workers check the temperatures of people in the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, India, as part of coronavirus screening.

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The colliding epidemics of COVID-19, Ebola, and measles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cited by 30 publications

References 5 publications

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Attitudes in Public Markets in the Former Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Leave no one behind: ensuring access to COVID-19 vaccines for refugee and displaced populations

Cities: build networks and share plans to emerge stronger from COVID-19

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