Dataset Information

Differences in family planning outcomes between military and general populations in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To examine family planning outcomes among women living in military camps in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and compare these outcomes with a representative sample of non-military women in Kinshasa.

Participants

Women of reproductive ages, 15-49 years. We compare two populations: women living in military camps and the general (non-military) population in Kinshasa.

Study design

For sampling, we used a two-stage cluster sampling design, where we first randomly selected enumeration areas (EA), and then randomly selected women within each EA (separately for each of the two populations). We administered a survey on contraceptive use and family planning to all participating women. We use bivariate and multivariate analysis to compare these populations for a range of family planning outcomes.

Results

We find many statistically significant differences between women in military camps and general female population of Kinshasa. Although they do not have more children, women in military camps are less likely to be using contraception (all methods OR 0.24, 95%?CI 0.11 to 0.53; modern methods OR 0.25, 95%?CI 0.08 to 0.79; traditional methods OR 0.41, 95%?CI 0.24 to 0.71) and less knowledgeable about many family planning methods (less likely to have heard of implants (OR 0.23, 95%?CI 0.11 to 0.48), injectables (OR 0.19, 95%?CI 0.08 to 0.44), condoms (OR 0.23, 95%?CI 0.12 to 0.47), withdrawal (OR 0.05, 95%?CI 0.02 to 0.17) and rhythm (OR 0.12, 95%?CI 0.03 to 0.44) methods), while at the same time they are more likely to want to limit their births (OR 5.17, 95%?CI 2.52 to 10.62), and less likely to have obtained their preferred family planning method (OR 0.14, 95%?CI 0.03 to 0.64).

Conclusions

Women in military camps in Kinshasa appear to be an important and underserved population with regard to family planning. Our results suggest that women in military camps have limited access to modern family planning methods.

SUBMITTER: Akilimali P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6318504 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Differences in family planning outcomes between military and general populations in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional analysis.

Akilimali Pierre P Anglewicz Philip P Engale Henri Nzuka HN Kurhenga Gilbert Kabanda GK Hernandez Julie J Kayembe Patrick P Bertrand Jane J

BMJ open 20181222 12

<h4>Objectives</h4>To examine family planning outcomes among women living in military camps in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and compare these outcomes with a representative sample of non-military women in Kinshasa.<h4>Participants</h4>Women of reproductive ages, 15-49 years. We compare two populations: women living in military camps and the general (non-military) population in Kinshasa.<h4>Study design</h4>For sampling, we used a two-stage cluster sampling design, where we first r ...[more]

PMID: 30580261

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Project description:BackgroundIn the Democratic Republic of Congo, the penal code prohibits the provision of abortion. In practice, however, it is widely accepted that the procedure can be performed to save the life of a pregnant woman. Although abortion is highly restricted, anecdotal evidence indicates that women often resort to clandestine abortions, many of which are unsafe. However, to date, there are no official statistics or reliable data to support this assertion.ObjectivesOur study provides the first estimates of the incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy in Kinshasa.MethodsWe applied the Abortion Incidence Complications Method (AICM) to estimate the incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy. We used data from a Health Facilities Survey and a Prospective Morbidity Survey to determine the annual number of women treated for abortion complications at health facilities. We also employed data from a Health Professionals Survey to calculate a multiplier representing the number of abortions for every induced abortion complication treated in a health facility.ResultsIn 2016, an estimated 37,865 women obtained treatment for induced abortion complications in health facilities in Kinshasa. For every woman treated in a facility, almost four times as many abortions occurred. In total, an estimated 146,713 abortions were performed, yielding an abortion rate of 56 per 1,000 women aged 15-49. Furthermore, more than 343,000 unintended pregnancies occurred, resulting in an unintended pregnancy rate of 147 per 1,000 women aged 15-49.ConclusionsIncreasing contraceptive uptake can reduce the number of women who experience unintended pregnancies, and as a consequence, result in fewer women obtaining unsafe abortions, suffering abortion complications, and dying needlessly from unsafe abortion. Increasing access to safe abortion and improving post-abortion care are other measures that can be implemented to reduce unsafe abortion and/or its negative consequences, including maternal mortality.

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Project description:BackgroundResistance to antibiotics is an increasing and major threat to global health. While the large majority of antimicrobial use occurs in the community where antibiotics are available without prescription, we did not find any studies investigating community-level factors influencing the inappropriate use of antibiotics in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where non-prescription antibiotic use is prevalent.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted from April 1st 2019 to May 5th 2019 and consisting of in-depth semi-structured interviews, utilizing purposive and snowball sampling schemes to recruit adult heads of households in the Pakadjuma slum, in Kinshasa, DRC. Participants with differing medical and educational backgrounds were selected. We employed a thematic analysis approach to explore community knowledge and use of antibiotics in the sampled population.ResultsA total of 18 participants with a median age of 35 years were interviewed. The majority was female (77.7%), had at least a secondary education (83.4%), and unemployed (61.1%). We found that participants were familiar with the term "antibiotics", but had limited knowledge of the indications and risks of antibiotics, including the risk of antibiotic resistance. Inappropriate use of antibiotics was common and there was frequent self-medication of non-prescribed medicines for a range of non-indicated conditions such as menstruation. Having limited income was the most commonly reported reason for not visiting a health facility for appropriate health care.ConclusionInappropriate use of antibiotics is a widespread practice and is influenced by lack of adequate knowledge of antibiotic use, indications and risks, prevalent self-medication, and financial barriers to accessing appropriate health care. There is need for both community education as well as structural interventions addressing poverty in order to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics in the Pakadjuma slum in Kinshasa.

Project description:BackgroundThe ultimate goal of asthma treatment is long-term control. Uncontrolled asthma is a major public health problem worldwide, but there is a lack of data on asthma control and its causes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).ObjectiveTo determine the socio-demographic, environmental, clinical, and biological factors and comorbidities associated with uncontrolled adult asthma in Kinshasa, DRC.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study of 216 male and female asthmatics aged 18 and over consecutively recruited from tertiary clinics and the community in Kinshasa between June 2017 and February 2018. For each subject, socio-demographic, clinical, para clinical and environmental data were recorded. Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) values were obtained by Spirometry, allergen testing performed using the skin prick test, serum vitamin D levels measured by radioimmunoassay, and asthma control assessed using the asthma control test (ACT) score. Multiple logistic regression identified factors associated with uncontrolled asthma.ResultsThe average age of participants was 45.2 (SD 17.6) years, 74% were female, and 42% had a low educational level. Among all asthmatics, the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma was 56%, abnormal serum vitamin D level 95%, abnormal FEV1 65%, sensitization to two allergens (cat dander and dust mites) 18%, sleep disorders 37%, and heartburn 60%. Male (aOR 2.24; 95% CIs 1.04-4.79), low educational level (aOR 3.26; 95% CIs 1.54-6.67), sensitization to both cat dander and dust mites (aOR 2.67; 95% CIs 1.16-6.14), FEV1 ≤80% (aOR 2.07; 95% CIs 1.08-3.96), abnormal serum vitamin D level (aOR 5.11; 95% CIs 1.17-22.33), sleep disorders (aOR 1.96; 95% CIs 1.04-3.71), and heartburn (aOR 2.02; 95% CIs 1.04-3.92) were significantly associated with uncontrolled asthma.ConclusionUncontrolled asthma is common in Kinshasa, and these factors associated with uncontrolled asthma may be considered as targets for future intervention strategies.

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Dataset Information

Differences in family planning outcomes between military and general populations in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional analysis.

Objectives

Participants

Study design

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Differences in family planning outcomes between military and general populations in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional analysis.

Similar Datasets

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