[ Facteurs aggravants des risques sanitaires des catastrophes naturelles dans les zones de santé du Sud-Kivu en RDC ]
Volume 79, Issue 2, July 2025, Pages 160–168
Elias Bashimbe Raphaël1, Mishika Lukusa Patricia2, Bitongwa Masumbuko Jacques Kapiteni Woolf3, Kamundu Kahima Amos4, Wembonyama Okitotsho Stanis5, Tsongo Kibendelwa Zacharie6, Barhwamire Kabesha Théophile7, Mutombo Kabamba André8, and Ruremesha Kinyata Sylvestre9
1 Higher Institute of Agroforestry and Environmental Management of Kahuzi-Biega (ISAGE-KB), South Kivu, RD Congo
2 Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, RD Congo
3 Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Kirotshe, RD Congo
4 Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Goma, RD Congo
5 Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Goma, RD Congo
6 Université de Kisangani, Kisangani, RD Congo
7 Université Officielle de Bukavu, Bukavu, RD Congo
8 Université Officielle de Mbuji-Mayi, Mbuji Mayi, RD Congo
9 Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Goma, RD Congo
Original language: French
Copyright © 2025 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Introduction: The South Kivu province faces increasing health risks due to recurrent natural disasters. In 2023, floods caused hundreds of deaths and disappearances in Kalehe, while Uvira experienced a resurgence of cholera cases. In 2024, the situation worsened with a rise in waterborne and infectious diseases, severely impacting the health of local populations. Methodology: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the Uvira and Kalehe health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The sample included 768 randomly selected households. Data collection was carried out using survey questionnaires, with statistical analysis performed using SPSS 27. Results: The results indicate that several factors significantly exacerbate health risks in these disaster-affected areas. Among them are population displacement, the destruction of homes and health infrastructure, the loss of material goods, water source contamination, overcrowding in temporary shelters, psychological distress, and diarrheal diseases (p<0.05). Additionally, the disruption of healthcare services and supply chains further complicates the health response. Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need for an adaptive response to strengthen the health system against natural disasters and improve the care of affected populations.
Author Keywords: aggravating factors, health risks, natural disasters, South Kivu.
Volume 79, Issue 2, July 2025, Pages 160–168
Elias Bashimbe Raphaël1, Mishika Lukusa Patricia2, Bitongwa Masumbuko Jacques Kapiteni Woolf3, Kamundu Kahima Amos4, Wembonyama Okitotsho Stanis5, Tsongo Kibendelwa Zacharie6, Barhwamire Kabesha Théophile7, Mutombo Kabamba André8, and Ruremesha Kinyata Sylvestre9
1 Higher Institute of Agroforestry and Environmental Management of Kahuzi-Biega (ISAGE-KB), South Kivu, RD Congo
2 Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, RD Congo
3 Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Kirotshe, RD Congo
4 Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Goma, RD Congo
5 Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Goma, RD Congo
6 Université de Kisangani, Kisangani, RD Congo
7 Université Officielle de Bukavu, Bukavu, RD Congo
8 Université Officielle de Mbuji-Mayi, Mbuji Mayi, RD Congo
9 Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Goma, RD Congo
Original language: French
Copyright © 2025 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Introduction: The South Kivu province faces increasing health risks due to recurrent natural disasters. In 2023, floods caused hundreds of deaths and disappearances in Kalehe, while Uvira experienced a resurgence of cholera cases. In 2024, the situation worsened with a rise in waterborne and infectious diseases, severely impacting the health of local populations. Methodology: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the Uvira and Kalehe health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The sample included 768 randomly selected households. Data collection was carried out using survey questionnaires, with statistical analysis performed using SPSS 27. Results: The results indicate that several factors significantly exacerbate health risks in these disaster-affected areas. Among them are population displacement, the destruction of homes and health infrastructure, the loss of material goods, water source contamination, overcrowding in temporary shelters, psychological distress, and diarrheal diseases (p<0.05). Additionally, the disruption of healthcare services and supply chains further complicates the health response. Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need for an adaptive response to strengthen the health system against natural disasters and improve the care of affected populations.
Author Keywords: aggravating factors, health risks, natural disasters, South Kivu.
Abstract: (french)
Introduction: La province du Sud-Kivu est confrontée à des risques sanitaires croissants en raison des catastrophes naturelles récurrentes. En 2023, des inondations ont causé des centaines de décès et de disparus à Kalehe, tandis qu’Uvira a enregistré une recrudescence du choléra. En 2024, la situation s’est aggravée avec une hausse des cas des maladies hydriques et infectieuses, impactant gravement la santé des populations locales. Méthodologie: L’étude est transversale à visée analytique a été menée dans les zones de santé d’Uvira et Kalehe, en RDC. L’échantillon comprend 768 ménages sélectionnés aléatoirement. La collecte des données a été réalisée à travers le questionnaire d’enquête avec une analyse statistique sous SPSS 27. Résultats: Les résultats montrent que plusieurs facteurs aggravent significativement les risques sanitaires dans ces zones touchées par les catastrophes naturelles. Parmi eux: les déplacements de population, la destruction des habitations et des infrastructures sanitaires, la perte de biens matériels, la contamination des sources d’eau, la promiscuité dans les milieux d’accueil, ainsi que les troubles psychologiques et les maladies diarrhéiques (p<0,05). De plus, la désorganisation des soins et la perturbation des chaînes d’approvisionnement compliquent davantage la réponse sanitaire. Conclusion: Ces conclusions soulignent la nécessité d’une réponse adaptée pour renforcer le système de santé face aux catastrophes naturelles et améliorer la prise en charge des populations affectées.
Author Keywords: facteurs aggravants, risques sanitaires, catastrophes naturelles, Sud-Kivu.
How to Cite this Article
Elias Bashimbe Raphaël, Mishika Lukusa Patricia, Bitongwa Masumbuko Jacques Kapiteni Woolf, Kamundu Kahima Amos, Wembonyama Okitotsho Stanis, Tsongo Kibendelwa Zacharie, Barhwamire Kabesha Théophile, Mutombo Kabamba André, and Ruremesha Kinyata Sylvestre, “Aggravating factors of health risks from natural disasters in the health zones of South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo,” International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research, vol. 79, no. 2, pp. 160–168, July 2025.
