INTRODUCTION: Health service use among the public can decline during outbreaks and had been predicted among low and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) started implementing public health measures across Kin...shasa, including strict lock-down measures in the Gombe health zone.
METHODS: Using monthly time series data from the DRC Health Management Information System (January 2018 to December 2020) and interrupted time series with mixed effects segmented Poisson regression models, we evaluated the impact of the pandemic on the use of essential health services (outpatient visits, maternal health, vaccinations, visits for common infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases) during the first wave of the pandemic in Kinshasa. Analyses were stratified by age, sex, health facility and lockdown policy (i.e, Gombe vs other health zones).
RESULTS: Health service use dropped rapidly following the start of the pandemic and ranged from 16% for visits for hypertension to 39% for visits for diabetes. However, reductions were highly concentrated in Gombe (81% decline in outpatient visits) relative to other health zones. When the lock-down was lifted, total visits and visits for infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases increased approximately twofold. Hospitals were more affected than health centres. Overall, the use of maternal health services and vaccinations was not significantly affected.
CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in important reductions in health service utilizsation in Kinshasa, particularly Gombe. Lifting of lock-down led to a rebound in the level of health service use but it remained lower than pre-pandemic levels.
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Annex. This document is an update of a guidance published on 12 July 2021, after the review of new scientific evidence on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). It contains updated recommendations on the use of masks and respirators for health workers providing care to suspected or c...onfirmed COVID-19.
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The document lists the components of various cholera kits designed for managing cholera outbreaks. It includes items for rehydration therapy (e.g., oral rehydration salts and IV fluids), medications, sanitation supplies, diagnostic tools, and logistical materials such as cholera beds and water purif...ication systems. These kits aim to support healthcare providers in treating patients, preventing the spread of the disease, and maintaining hygiene in affected areas.
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Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat as it is present in all parts of the world and it means that there is a shortage of effective antibiotics to treat simple infections and diseases, also statistics reveal that because of antimicrobial resistance patients’ morbidity and mortality is increa...sed, as well as healthcare related expenditures. Theoretical frameworks chosen for this study are Mark Salmon White’s construct for public health nursing and Tannahill’s model for health promotion. Both models focus on promoting and contributing to the health and well-being of the public. In this thesis the nurse’s role is explored and steps that can be taken towards contributing to minimizing antimicrobial resistance are listed
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A learning resource for facilitators, parents, caregivers, and persons with cerebral palsy | Version 1 - Released March 2008
For the first time in almost 50 years there are two new drugs for the treatment of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB): bedaquiline and delamanid. There has also been increased attention given to the safety and efficacy of “re-purposed” drugs that have been widely used to treat other infections but are al...so showing promise in the treatment of DR-TB, including linezolid and clofazimine. This special supplemental guide has been developed for nurses, because it is essential that nurses be provided with material that maximizes their ability to provide optimal support to patients who are receiving new and re-purposed drugs
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THELANCETID-D-16-00800 S1473-3099(16)30318-8
2006-2008 programme report
This manual summarizes the methodology used to develop WHODAS 2.0 and the findings obtained when the schedule was applied to certain areas of general health, including mental and neurological disorders.
The manual will be useful to any researcher or clinician wishing to use WHODAS 2.0 in their prac...tice. It includes the seven versions of WHODAS 2.0, which differ in length and intended mode of administration. It also provides general population norms; these allow WHODAS 2.0 values for certain subpopulations to be compared with those for the general population.
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CBDRR Practice. Case Studies 1
No publication year indicated.