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Otshudiema JO, Folefack GLT, Nsio JM, Kakema CH, Minikulu L, Bafuana A, Kosianza JB, Mfumu AK, Nkwembe E, Munyeku-Bazitama Y, Makiala-Mandanda S, Guinko N, Mbuyi G, Tshilumbu JMK, Saidi GN, Umba-di-Masiala MS, Ebondo AK, Mutonj JJ, Kalombo S, Kabeya J, Mawanda TK, Bile FN, Kasereka GK, Mbala-Kingebeni P, Ahuka-Mundeke S, Karamagi HC, Fai KN, Djiguimde AP. Community-based COVID-19 active case finding and rapid response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Improving case detection and response. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0278251. [PMID: 37200322 PMCID: PMC10194859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
A community-based coronavirus disease (COVID-19) active case-finding strategy using an antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) was implemented in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to enhance COVID-19 case detection. With this pilot community-based active case finding and response program that was designed as a clinical, prospective testing performance, and implementation study, we aimed to identify insights to improve community diagnosis and rapid response to COVID-19. This pilot study was modeled on the DRC's National COVID-19 Response Plan and the COVID-19 Ag-RDT screening algorithm defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), with case findings implemented in 259 health areas, 39 health zones, and 9 provinces. In each health area, a 7-member interdisciplinary field team tested the close contacts (ring strategy) and applied preventive and control measures to each confirmed case. The COVID-19 testing capacity increased from 0.3 tests per 10,000 inhabitants per week in the first wave to 0.4, 1.6, and 2.2 in the second, third, and fourth waves, respectively. From January to November 2021, this capacity increase contributed to an average of 10.5% of COVID-19 tests in the DRC, with 7,110 positive Ag-RDT results for 40,226 suspected cases and close contacts who were tested (53.6% female, median age: 37 years [interquartile range: 26.0-50.0)]. Overall, 79.7% (n = 32,071) of the participants were symptomatic and 7.6% (n = 3,073) had comorbidities. The Ag-RDT sensitivity and specificity were 55.5% and 99.0%, respectively, based on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, and there was substantial agreement between the tests (k = 0.63). Despite its limited sensitivity, the Ag-RDT has improved COVID-19 testing capacity, enabling earlier detection, isolation, and treatment of COVID-19 cases. Our findings support the community testing of suspected cases and asymptomatic close contacts of confirmed cases to reduce disease spread and virus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Justus M. Nsio
- COVID-19 Response, Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Cathy H. Kakema
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Luigino Minikulu
- COVID-19 Response, Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Aimé Bafuana
- COVID-19 Response, Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Joel B. Kosianza
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Antoine K. Mfumu
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Edith Nkwembe
- COVID-19 Laboratory and Epidemiology Team, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Yannick Munyeku-Bazitama
- COVID-19 Laboratory and Epidemiology Team, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Sheila Makiala-Mandanda
- COVID-19 Laboratory and Epidemiology Team, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Noé Guinko
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Gisèle Mbuyi
- COVID-19 Response, Ministry of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Guy N. Saidi
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Amos K. Ebondo
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jean-Jacques Mutonj
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Serge Kalombo
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jad Kabeya
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Taty K. Mawanda
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Faustin N. Bile
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Gaby K. Kasereka
- COVID-19 Response, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Placide Mbala-Kingebeni
- COVID-19 Laboratory and Epidemiology Team, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Steve Ahuka-Mundeke
- COVID-19 Laboratory and Epidemiology Team, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Humphrey Cyprian Karamagi
- Data Analytics and Knowledge Management, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo
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Nachega JB, Ishoso DK, Otokoye JO, Hermans MP, Machekano RN, Sam-Agudu NA, Bongo-Pasi Nswe C, Mbala-Kingebeni P, Madinga JN, Mukendi S, Kolié MC, Nkwembe EN, Mbuyi GM, Nsio JM, Mukeba Tshialala D, Tshiasuma Pipo M, Ahuka-Mundeke S, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Mofenson L, Smith G, Mills EJ, Mellors JW, Zumla A, Mavungu Landu DJ, Kayembe JM. Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Africa: Early Insights from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:2419-2428. [PMID: 33009770 PMCID: PMC7695108 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the clinical features and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between March 10, 2020 and July 31, 2020 at seven hospitals in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Outcomes included clinical improvement within 30 days (primary) and in-hospital mortality (secondary). Of 766 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 500 (65.6%) were male, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 46 (34-58) years. One hundred ninety-one (25%) patients had severe/critical disease requiring admission in the intensive care unit (ICU). Six hundred twenty patients (80.9%) improved and were discharged within 30 days of admission. Overall in-hospital mortality was 13.2% (95% CI: 10.9-15.8), and almost 50% among those in the ICU. Independent risk factors for death were age < 20 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 6.62, 95% CI: 1.85-23.64), 40-59 years (aHR = 4.45, 95% CI: 1.83-10.79), and ≥ 60 years (aHR = 13.63, 95% CI: 5.70-32.60) compared with those aged 20-39 years, with obesity (aHR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.24-4.27), and with chronic kidney disease (aHR = 5.33, 95% CI: 1.85-15.35). In marginal structural model analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in odds of clinical improvement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.88-2.67, P = 0.132) nor risk of death (aOR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.35-1.20) when comparing the use of chloroquine/azithromycin versus other treatments. In this DRC study, the high mortality among patients aged < 20 years and with severe/critical disease is of great concern, and requires further research for confirmation and targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean B Nachega
- Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Center for Global Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Medicine, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Epidemiology and International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel Katuashi Ishoso
- Community Health Department, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - John Otshudiema Otokoye
- Epidemiological Surveillance Team, COVID-19 Response, Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Michel P Hermans
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rhoderick Neri Machekano
- African Center of Biostatistics Excellence (ACBE), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadia A Sam-Agudu
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana.,International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christian Bongo-Pasi Nswe
- Faculty of Public Health, Université Moderne de Kinkole, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,Department of Public Health, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Ethnopharmacologie, Faculty of Medicine, Université Notre-Dame du Kasayi, Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Placide Mbala-Kingebeni
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Joule Ntwan Madinga
- Epidemiological Surveillance Team, COVID-19 Response, Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Stéphane Mukendi
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Marie Claire Kolié
- Epidemiological Surveillance Team, COVID-19 Response, Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organization, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Edith N Nkwembe
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Gisele M Mbuyi
- Direction Surveillance Épidémiologique (DSE), Direction Générale de Lutte contre la Maladie (DGLM), Ministère de la Santé Publique et Riposte COVID-19, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Justus M Nsio
- Direction Surveillance Épidémiologique (DSE), Direction Générale de Lutte contre la Maladie (DGLM), Ministère de la Santé Publique et Riposte COVID-19, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Michel Tshiasuma Pipo
- Department of Public Health, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Ethnopharmacologie, Faculty of Medicine, Université Notre-Dame du Kasayi, Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Steve Ahuka-Mundeke
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Lynne Mofenson
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Gerald Smith
- Department of Real World & Advanced Analytics, Cytel, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Edward J Mills
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - John W Mellors
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Division of Infection and Immunity, Centre for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Don Jethro Mavungu Landu
- Faculty of Public Health, Université Moderne de Kinkole, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,Department of Public Health, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Ethnopharmacologie, Faculty of Medicine, Université Notre-Dame du Kasayi, Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jean-Marie Kayembe
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
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