Santé (Montrouge, France)
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Santé (Montrouge, France) · Apr 2009
Comparative Study[Epidemiological, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in and around Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo].
Despite efforts to control human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in the field, this infection remains prevalent in endemic or epidemic form in most of its traditional habitats. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), HAT has extended beyond rural areas to reach large cities such as Kinshasa. The objective of this study was to analyse the characteristics of trypanosomiasis patients (cases) in Kinshasa and to compare them to those of healthy controls. METHODS AND POPULATION OF STUDY: This case-control study allowed us to compare case patients and controls for some epidemiologic, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. In all, 1764 people (588 case-patients and 1176 controls) were interviewed according to a structured questionnaire. Case-patients were infected with trypanosomiasis and entered the National Human African Trypanosomiasis Program (PNLTHA-DRC) from January 2004 through December 2005. Controls were matched for sex, age and residence to the corresponding case-patient, but had negative results from the Card Agglutination Trypanosomiasis Test (CATT-Test) whole-blood serologic analysis. Each patient was matched with two controls. ⋯ These results highlight several modifiable or avoidable characteristics associated with HAT. Interventions on them might make it possible to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with HAT and prevent wider extension of this disease.