188体育

Main messages

Infectious diseases

Immunisation

Ensure that all patients, especially children, are up-to-date with the UK immunisation schedule. See Immunisation collection with complete schedules.

Tuberculosis

The incidence of TB in Democratic Republic of Congo is very high (>500 cases/100,000), and there is also a high burden of MDR-TB, so:

• screen all new entrants, including children, for TB according to
• refer to TB services promptly if screening is positive
• seek advice, if you are a local TB service, from the before treating patients from Democratic Republic of Congo for TB
• maintain long term vigilance for symptoms of TB even if initial screening is negative
• be aware that TB is a notifiable disease

Sexually transmitted infections and HIV

Take a sexual history, and:

• screen for STIs and HIV according to risk as specified in the UK national standards and guidelines
• test all sexually active patients under the age of 25 for chlamydia

Democratic Republic of Congo has a low rate of HIV (鈮�1%), so:

• offer and recommend an HIV test if the patient:
  • falls into a high risk group
  • is newly registering in a high prevalence area
• be advised that national guidelines do not recommend routine consideration of HIV testing of infants and children who have recently arrived in the UK

Hepatitis B

Democratic Republic of Congo has an intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B, so:

• consider screening for hepatitis B, particularly those who have recently arrived
• offer screening for hepatitis B to all pregnant women during each pregnancy
• immunise appropriately babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive, and follow-up accordingly
• be aware that the UK has a universal infant immunisation programme for hepatitis B聽and a selective immunisation programme for higher risk groups

Hepatitis C

Democratic Republic of Congo has a considerably higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK, so .

Polio

Polio (cVDPV2) has been reported in Democratic Republic of Congo, so:

• be alert for signs and symptoms of polio in anyone arriving from Democratic Republic of Congo, and investigate as appropriate
• ensure all new entrants are brought up to date with the UK immunisation schedule, including polio vaccine as required
• see for advice about polio vaccine requirements if patients are planning to travel back to Democratic Republic of Congo, as specific advice is in place for long-term visitors (over 4 weeks) to Democratic Republic of Congo.

Travel plans and advice

Ask about any travel plans the patient may have to visit friends and relatives in their country of origin, and see , or the Health Protection Scotland websites ( and ), for travel advice.

Malaria

There is a high risk of malaria in Democratic Republic of Congo, mainly due to P. falciparum, so:

• who has travelled to-and-from in the last year
• remember that malaria can be rapidly fatal

Typhoid

There is a risk of typhoid infection in Democratic Republic of Congo, so:

• ensure that travellers to Democratic Republic of Congo are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on prevention of enteric fever
• remember enteric fever in the differential diagnosis of illness in patients with a recent history of travel to-or-from Democratic Republic of Congo

Helminths

There is a risk of helminth infections in Democratic Republic of Congo, including:

• schistosomiasis
• lymphatic filariasis
• soil transmitted helminthiasis

Women鈥檚 health

Reproductive health indicators

Reproductive health indicator	UK	Democratic Republic of Congo
Number of children per woman鹿	2	7
Use of contraception虏	82%	31.4%

鹿lifetime average; 虏by woman of reproductive age or partner

No data are available on:

• mammography screening rates
• cervical cancer screening rates

Find out more about women鈥檚 health.

Nutritional and metabolic concerns

Anaemia

There is a high risk of anaemia in adults (estimated prevalence in non-pregnant women is >40%) and pre-school children (estimated prevalence is >40%), so:

• be alert to the possibility of anaemia in recently arrived migrants, particularly women and pre-school children
• test as clinically indicated

Vitamin D

Consider the possibility of vitamin D deficiency in people who may be at risk due to:

• covering their body for cultural or religious reasons (lack of sunlight)
• skin colour
• diet (vegan or vegetarian)

Vitamin A

There is a high risk of vitamin A deficiency in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iodine

People from Democratic Republic of Congo may be at risk of iodine induced hyperthyroidism due to excessive intake.

Country profile

Health indicators and health care

has a summary of health indicators and health care in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Culture, politics and history

and provide background information on the culture, politics and history of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Languages

The main languages used in Democratic Republic of Congo are:

• French (official)
• Lingala (a lingua franca trade language)
• Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili)
• Kikongo
• Tshiluba

Source: .

Find out about language interpretation.

Religions

Religion	Population (%)
Roman Catholic	50
Protestant	20
Kimbanguist	10
Muslim	10
翱迟丑别谤鹿	10

鹿includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs

Source: .

Migration to the UK

There were over 19,000 people from Democratic Republic of Congo living in England and Wales at the time of the 2011 Census.

Source: