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Background This study examines how leadership is provided at the operational level of a health system in a protracted crisis context. Despite advances in medical science and technology, health systems in low- and middle-income countries struggle to deliver quality care to all their citizens. The role of leadership in fostering resilience and positive transformation of a health system is established. However, there is little literature on this issue in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study describes leadership as experienced and perceived by health managers in crisis affected health districts in Eastern DRC. Methods A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted in eight rural health districts (corresponding to health zones, in DRC’s health system organization), in 2021. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and non-participatory observations. Participants were key health actors in each district. The study deductively explored six themes related to leadership, using an adapted version of the Leadership Framework conceptual approach to leadership from the United Kingdom National Health Service’s Leadership Academy. From these themes, a secondary analysis extracted emerging subthemes. Results The study has revealed deficiencies regarding management and organization of the health zones, internal collaboration within their management teams as well as collaboration between these teams and the health zone’s external partners. Communication and clinical and managerial capacities were identified as key factors to be strengthened in improving leadership within the districts. The findings have also highlighted the detrimental influence of vertical interventions from external partners and hierarchical supervisors in health zones on planning, human resource management and decision-making autonomy of district leaders, weakening their leadership. Conclusions Despite their decentralized basic operating structure, which has withstood decades of cri, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

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Background: The Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been affected by armed conflict for several years. Despite the growing interest in the impact of these conflicts on health service utilisation, few studies have addressed the coping mechanisms of the health system. The purpose of this study is to describe the traumatic events and coping mechanisms used by the health zones (HZs) in conflict settings to maintain good performance.Methods: This multiple case study took place from July to October 2022 in four HZs in the South Kivu Province of DRC. HZs were classified into "cases" according to their conflict profile: accessible and stable (Case 1), accessible but remote (Case 2), unstable (Case 3), and intermediate (Case 4). Eight performance indicators and the amount of funding provided to the HZs by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were recorded. A graph was created to compare their evolution from 2013 to 2018. A thematic analysis of qualitative data from individual interviews with selected health workers was conducted.Results: Both battle-related events (war and its effects) and non-battle-related events (epidemics, disasters, strikes) were recorded according to the case conflict-profile. Although the cases (3 and 4) most affected by armed conflicts occasionally performed better than the stable ones (1 and 2), their operational action plan was poorly carried out. The coping mechanisms developed in cases 3 and 4 were the deployment of military nurses in preventive and supervisory activities, the solicitations of subsidies from NGOs, the relocation of health care facilities and the implementation of negotiation strategies with the belligerents.Conclusion: Armed conflict results in traumatic events that disrupt the execution of the operational action plan of HZs. The HZs’ management team expertise, its strong leadership, and substantial financial support would enable this system to develop reliable and sustainable adaptive mechanisms., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

BackgroundThe Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been affected by armed conflict for several years. Despite the growing interest in the impact of these conflicts on health service utilisation, few studies have addressed the coping mechanisms of the health system. The purpose of this study is to describe the traumatic events and coping mechanisms used by the health zones (HZs) in conflict settings to maintain good performance.MethodsThis multiple case study took place from July to October 2022 in four HZs in the South Kivu Province of DRC. HZs were classified into "cases" according to their conflict profile: accessible and stable (Case 1), accessible but remote (Case 2), unstable (Case 3), and intermediate (Case 4). Eight performance indicators and the amount of funding provided to the HZs by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were recorded. A graph was created to compare their evolution from 2013 to 2018. A thematic analysis of qualitative data from individual interviews with selected health workers was conducted.ResultsBoth battle-related events (war and its effects) and non-battle-related events (epidemics, disasters, strikes) were recorded according to the case conflict-profile. Although the cases (3 and 4) most affected by armed conflicts occasionally performed better than the stable ones (1 and 2), their operational action plan was poorly carried out. The coping mechanisms developed in cases 3 and 4 were the deployment of military nurses in preventive and supervisory activities, the solicitations of subsidies from NGOs, the relocation of health care facilities and the implementation of negotiation strategies with the belligerents.ConclusionArmed conflict results in traumatic events that disrupt the execution of the operational action plan of HZs. The HZs' management team expertise, its strong leadership, and substantial financial support would enable this system to develop reliable and sustainable adaptive mechanisms., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

INTRODUCTION: Sub-Saharan Africa has low Caesarean (CS) levels, despite a global increase in CS use. In conflict settings, the pattern of CS use is unclear because of scanty data. We aimed to examine the opportunity of using routine facility data to describe the CS use in conflict settings. METHODS: We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study in 8 health zones (HZ) of South Kivu province in eastern DR Congo. We reviewed patient hospital records, maternity registers and operative protocol books, from January to December 2018. Data on direct conflict fatalities were obtained from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program. Based on conflict intensity and chronicity (expressed as a 6-year cumulative conflict death rate), HZ were classified as unstable (higher conflict death rate), intermediate and stable (lower conflict death rate). To describe the Caesarean section practice, we used the Robson classification system. Based on parity, history of previous CS, onset of labour, foetal lie and presentation, number of neonates and gestational age, the Robson classification categorises deliveries into 10 mutually exclusive groups. We performed a descriptive analysis of the relative contribution of each Robson group to the overall CS rate in the conflict stratum. RESULTS: Among the 29,600 deliveries reported by health facilities, 5,520 (18.6%) were by CS; 5,325 (96.5%) records were reviewed, of which 2,883 (54.1%) could be classified. The overall estimated population CS rate was 6.9%. The proportion of health facility deliveries that occurred in secondary hospitals was much smaller in unstable health zones (22.4%) than in intermediate (40.25) or stable health zones (43.0%). Robson groups 5 (previous CS, single cephalic, ≥ 37 weeks), 1 (nulliparous, single cephalic, ≥ 37 weeks, spontaneous labour) and 3 (multiparous, no previous CS, single cephalic, ≥ 37 weeks, spontaneous labour) were the leading contributors to the overall CS rate; and represented 75% of all CS deliveries. In

Background: The cost of current standard ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is among the major obstacles to scaling up community- based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM), an important child survival strategy. Identifying a cheaper alternative is a global public health priority. Objective: We sought to compare the efficacy of soya-maizesorghum RUTF (SMS-RUTF) with that of standard peanut paste- based RUTF (P-RUTF). Design: We used a nonblinded, parallel-group, simple randomized controlled trial along with a day care approach that enrolled 2 groups of children aged 6-23 and 24-59 mo, respectively, with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Results: Intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses showed noninferiority of SMS-RUTF compared with P-RUTF for the recovery rate [ITT: Δ =-2.0% (95% CI:-7.6%, 3.6%); PP:-1.9% (95% CI: -5.3%, 1.4%)], weight gain [Δ = -0.7 g · kg-1 · d-1 (95% CI: -1.3, 0.0 g · kg-1 · d-1)], and length of stay [D = 2.0 d (95% CI: -1.7, 5.8 d)] in children ·-4 mo of age. In children ≥23 mo of age, the recovery rate of SMS-RUTF was inferior to that of P-RUTF [ITT: Δ = -20.8% (95% CI: -29.9%, -11.7%); PP: -17.2% (95% CI: -25.6%, -8.7%)]. Treatment with SMS-RUTF resulted in a greater increase in hemoglobin [0.670 g/dL (95% CI: 0.420, 0.921 g/dL); P < 0.001]. Treatment with both RUTFs resulted in the replenishment of all of the amino acids tested except for methionine. There were no differences at discharge between RUTF groups in fat mass [Δ = 0.3 kg (95% CI: -0.6, 1.6 kg); P = 0.341] or fat mass index [Δ = 0.4 kg/m2 (95% CI: -0.3, 1.1 kg/m2); P = 0.262]. By contrast, comparisons of fat-free mass indicated lower concentrations than the community controls after treatment with either of the 2 RUTFs [Δ = -1.3 kg (95% CI: -2.4, -0.1 kg) and P = 0.034 for comparison between community controls and the SMS-RUTF group; Δ = -1.8 kg (95% CI: -2.9, -0.6 kg) and P = 0.003 for comparison between community controls and the P-RUTF group]. Conclusion: SMS-R, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

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Despite a reduction in the magnitude of endemic malaria reported in recent years, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) still remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa among children under five. The relationship between malaria and malnutrition remains a topic of controversy. We aimed to investigate malaria infection according to nutritional status in a community-based survey., Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Despite a reduction in the magnitude of endemic malaria reported in recent years, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) still remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa among children under five. The relationship between malaria and malnutrition remains a topic of controversy. We aimed to investigate malaria infection according to nutritional status in a community-based survey., Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

IntroductionLe récent rapport de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé estime à 7,6 millions le nombre de décès d’enfants de moins de cinq en 2010 dans le monde dont le tiers est associé à la malnutrition. La malnutrition est donc un problème de santé publique pour la plupart des pays en développement y compris la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). La RDC se partage la 2ème plus mauvaise position avec l’Afghanistan en ce qui concerne le taux de mortalité infanto juvénile (199 décès pour mille naissances vivantes). Il est également le 3ème pays au monde en ce qui concerne le nombre total de décès d'enfants de moins de cinq ans derrière l’Inde et le Nigéria. Le dernier rapport du Global Hunger Index (septembre 2011) montre que la RDC et le Tchad sont les pays les plus touchés par la malnutrition au monde.L’actuel protocole de l’OMS consacre la prise en charge communautaire de la malnutrition mais le fonctionnement des comités villageois n’est pas standardisé au niveau international. Dans certains pays ils sont regroupés en volontaires pour participer aux activités communautaires alors que dans d'autres pays comme l’Ethiopie, les volontaires communautaires sont totalement intégrés dans le système de santé comme les autres salariés.Le paquet d’activités des volontaires communautaires n’est pas non plus standardisé. Dans la majorité des pays, les volontaires communautaires se limitent aux activités promotionnelles et de sensibilisation alors que dans d’autres ils participent en plus aux activités de prise en charge de la malnutrition.L’objectif de ce travail était d‘évaluer si le programme de nutrition à base communautaire tel que défini au Sud Kivu peut contribuer de manière efficace à l’amélioration de la santé de l’enfant en milieu rural dans un contexte de malnutrition endémique.MéthodologieCe travail regroupe sept études. Les cinq premières portent sur l’évaluation des activités du programme de nutrition à assise communautaire dans le contexte du S, Doctorat en Santé Publique, info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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IntroductionLe récent rapport de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé estime à 7,6 millions le nombre de décès d’enfants de moins de cinq en 2010 dans le monde dont le tiers est associé à la malnutrition. La malnutrition est donc un problème de santé publique pour la plupart des pays en développement y compris la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). La RDC se partage la 2ème plus mauvaise position avec l’Afghanistan en ce qui concerne le taux de mortalité infanto juvénile (199 décès pour mille naissances vivantes). Il est également le 3ème pays au monde en ce qui concerne le nombre total de décès d'enfants de moins de cinq ans derrière l’Inde et le Nigéria. Le dernier rapport du Global Hunger Index (septembre 2011) montre que la RDC et le Tchad sont les pays les plus touchés par la malnutrition au monde.L’actuel protocole de l’OMS consacre la prise en charge communautaire de la malnutrition mais le fonctionnement des comités villageois n’est pas standardisé au niveau international. Dans certains pays ils sont regroupés en volontaires pour participer aux activités communautaires alors que dans d'autres pays comme l’Ethiopie, les volontaires communautaires sont totalement intégrés dans le système de santé comme les autres salariés.Le paquet d’activités des volontaires communautaires n’est pas non plus standardisé. Dans la majorité des pays, les volontaires communautaires se limitent aux activités promotionnelles et de sensibilisation alors que dans d’autres ils participent en plus aux activités de prise en charge de la malnutrition.L’objectif de ce travail était d‘évaluer si le programme de nutrition à base communautaire tel que défini au Sud Kivu peut contribuer de manière efficace à l’amélioration de la santé de l’enfant en milieu rural dans un contexte de malnutrition endémique.MéthodologieCe travail regroupe sept études. Les cinq premières portent sur l’évaluation des activités du programme de nutrition à assise communautaire dans le contexte du S, Doctorat en Santé Publique, info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

info:eu-repo/semantics/published, S3-005

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The morbidity of Salmonella bloodstream infections is unacceptably high in Africa. In 2000, the WHO Global Salmonella-Surveillance (GSS) program was founded to reduce the health burden of foodborne diseases. The incorporation, in 2002, of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in this program allowed the improvement of laboratory capacities. In this retrospective study, we describe the first signs of impact the GSS program has had in DRC in the management of bacteremia., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The morbidity of Salmonella bloodstream infections is unacceptably high in Africa. In 2000, the WHO Global Salmonella-Surveillance (GSS) program was founded to reduce the health burden of foodborne diseases. The incorporation, in 2002, of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in this program allowed the improvement of laboratory capacities. In this retrospective study, we describe the first signs of impact the GSS program has had in DRC in the management of bacteremia., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

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