Pierre Akilimali
Biographic Data
| ID | 1511530 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Pierre Akilimali |
| GIVEN NAMES | Pierre |
| FAMILY NAME | Akilimali |
| SIGNATURE | AKILIMALI P |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Kinshasa |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3828-6214 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 12 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 25 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Community knowledge, attitudes, and preferences towards vitamin A supplementation in a semi-rural health zone, Kasai Oriental, Democratic Republic of the Congo
BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency remains a critical public health challenge and affects children under 5 years of age in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the community-level knowledge, preferences, and attitudes towards vitamin A supplementation in a semi-rural Health Zone, Kasaï-Oriental province. METHODS: = 420). Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo 14. The primary respondents…
Impact of maternal and neonatal factors on mortality in the first six weeks of life
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is among the sub-Saharan African countries with a high neonatal mortality rate. Various interventions have been implemented to reduce this mortality rate, including the establishment of free maternity policy. This study evaluated the neonatal and maternal factors influencing infant mortality at 6 weeks of life. A prospective cohort study was conducted on infants recruited between March and July 2024 from mat…
Measuring adult mortality from mobile phone surveys in Burkina Faso, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In many low and middle-income countries, adult mortality estimates are derived from surveys and censuses conducted through face-to-face interviews. These interviews can be time-intensive and are often impractical during health crises or humanitarian emergencies. The expansion in cellphone ownership and network coverage has created new opportunities for collecting demographic data through mobile phone surveys, but our understanding of selection bi…
Factors Associated with Being on Track for Early Childhood Development in Kinshasa
Background/Objectives: This study examines the associations between household socioeconomic status (SES), child nutrition, and developmental status among children aged 24-59 months in the Mont Ngafula health zone in Kinshasa. The primary research question focuses on how SES and stunting affect developmental outcomes in early childhood. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 348 children, assessing developmental outcomes using…
Intimate partner violence help-seeking attitudes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
These findings reiterate the need to dismantle harmful gender systems and promote survivor-centered services. Confidence in services and corresponding attitudes favorable of seeking help are necessary to promote help-seeking for this leading form of gender-based violence
Nursing student training as a novel approach to increasing community-based access to contraception in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
This study evaluated the scale-up of an innovative approach to increasing modern contraceptive use in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on multiple outcomes: fidelity to design, acceptability, sustainability, satisfaction, adoption by other organizations, and penetration. The intervention consisted of incorporating a family planning (FP) module into the training of third-year nursing students, who then counseled and delivered services du…
Abortion information-seeking experiences among women who obtained abortions in Kinshasa, DRC
Little is known about the process of seeking information related to abortion care options among women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Understanding how women obtain information can help identify opportunities for intervention to increase awareness and use of safe pregnancy termination options. Using qualitative data collected from women in Kinshasa, DRC who reported having an abortion in the last 10 years, this study aims to determine …
Family planning service disruptions in the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic
Many speculated that COVID-19 would severely restrict the delivery of essential health services, including family planning (FP), but evidence of this impact is limited, partly due to data limitations. We use cross-sectional data collected from regional and national samples of health facilities (n = 2,610) offering FP across seven low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) between 2019 and 2021, with longitudinal data from four geographies, to exami…
Predictors of mortality among inpatients in Covid-19 treatment centers in the city of Butembo, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Determining the risk factors for severe disease and death among hospitalized Covid-19 patients is critical to optimize health outcomes and health services efficiency, especially in resource-constrained and humanitarian settings. This study aimed to identify the predictors of mortality of Covid-19 patients in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 6 Covid-19 treatment centers in the ci…
Women’s Empowerment and Associated Factors in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Empowering women and promoting gender equality is crucial for accelerating sustainable development in fragile countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, there is scarce existing knowledge or understanding of the factors determining women's empowerment in these contexts. We aimed to assess women's empowerment and determine its associated factors in Kinshasa, DRC. We analyzed data from the 2021 Performance Monitoring Asse…
Abortion Incidence among Young Women in Urban Slums and Non-Slums in Kinshasa, DR Congo
More precise estimates of the incidence of abortion indicate that the incidence rate of abortion was higher among young women residing in slums who were unmarried and had no children. These incidences were higher among confidants than among respondents. There is still a lot of work to be done to fulfill the obligations outlined in the Maputo Protocol. The aim is to decrease the occurrence of unsafe abortions and their associated effects
Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Are Among the Main Underlying Causes of Death in Twenty Healthcare Facilities Across Two Cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to be a major cause of death, and CVD and diabetes are among the leading causes of early mortality in adults in urban areas. The proportional mortality related to CVD and diabetes appears to be higher in women than in men. Special emphasis should be placed on women, particularly during adulthood, to ensure the prompt detection of diabetes and cardiovascular conditions
Change in Fertility Intentions in the First Year of Covid-19
Recent evidence suggests that women in high-income countries desired to delay or forgo childbearing due to COVID-19, yet there remains insufficient evidence of COVID-19's impact on fertility desires in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We examined how quantum and tempo of fertility intentions changed in the first year of COVID-19 and assessed the impact of economic insecurity and sociodemographic characte…
Self-injected contraceptives
Subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) is an innovative contraceptive method aimed at meeting women’s unique circumstances and needs, largely due to its ability to be self-injected. Substantial research and advocacy investments have been made to promote roll-out of DMPA-SC across sub-Saharan Africa. To date, research on the demand for DMPA-SC as a self-injectable method has been conducted largely with healthcare providers, via q…
Understanding the Broader Impacts of Covid-19 on Women and Girls in the DRC through Integrated Outbreak Analytics to Reinforce Evidence for Rapid Operational Decision-Making
Whilst men and boys account for more COVID-19 cases and deaths, the secondary impacts of the outbreak on women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are cross-cutting and far-reaching. School closures put girls at increased risk of adolescent pregnancy, sexual violence and early marriage; more women working in the informal sector have lost jobs and been affected by closures of markets and borders; and frequent restrictions on sexual a…
Predictors of Viral Non-Suppression among Patients Living with HIV under Dolutegravir in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo adopted the integrase inhibitor dolutegravir (DTG) as part of its preferred first-line HIV treatment regimen in 2019. This study aimed to identify predictors of viral non-suppression among HIV-infected patients under a DTG-based regimen in the context of ongoing armed conflict since 2017 in the city of Bunia in the DRC. We conducted a cohort study of 468 patients living with HIV under DTG in all health facilit…
Incidence and Predictors of Loss to Follow Up among Patients Living with HIV under Dolutegravir in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo
This study aimed to examine the incidence and predictors of loss to follow up (LTFU) in the context of ongoing atrocities caused by armed conflict, where HIV treatment programs and HIV-infected patients may face unique challenges in terms of ART adherence and retention in care. We conducted an observational prospective cohort study of 468 patients living with HIV (PLWHIV) under dolutegravir (DTG) in all health facilities in Bunia between July 201…
Predictive Factors of HIV-1 Drug Resistance and Its Distribution among Female Sex Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The predictive factors of HIV-1 drug resistance and its distribution are poorly documented in female sex workers (FSWs) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). However, the identification of predictive factors can lead to the development of improved and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). The objective of the current study was to determine the predictive factors of HIV-1 drug resistance and its distribution based on FSWs in the studied…
Determinants of Survival of HIV Patients Receiving Dolutegravir
This study aims to determine the factors influencing HIV-related mortality in settings experiencing continuous armed conflict atrocities. In such settings, people living with HIV (PLHIV), and the partners of those affected may encounter specific difficulties regarding adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and retention in HIV prevention, treatment, and care programs. Between July 2019 and July 2021, we conducted an observational prospective …
Modern contraceptive availability and stockouts
Approximately 214 million women of reproductive age lack adequate access to contraception for their family planning needs, yet patterns of contraceptive availability have seldom been examined. With growing demand for contraceptives in some areas, low contraceptive method availability and stockouts are thought to be major drivers of unmet need among women of reproductive age, though evidence for this is limited. In this research, we examined trend…
Heterogeneity of Modern Contraceptive Use among Urban Slum and Nonslum Women in Kinshasa, DR Congo
Urban populations have been increasing at an alarming rate, with faster growth in urban slums than that in nonslums over the past few decades. We examine the association between slum residence and the prevalence of contraceptive use among women of reproductive age, and assess if the effect was modified by household wealth. We conducted cross-sectional analysis comprising 1932 women in slums and 632 women in nonslums. We analyzed the moderating ef…
The scale-up and integration of contraceptive service delivery into nursing school training in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), modern contraceptive prevalence is low by international standards: 29.6% as of 2020. A 2015 pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of using medical and nursing students to administer DMPA-SC (the subcutaneous injection) among other methods at the community level. The more far-reaching discovery was the potential of clinically trained students to increase access to low-cost c…
Is Client Reporting on Contraceptive Use Always Accurate? Measuring Consistency and Change with a Multicountry Study
The consistency of self‐reported contraceptive use over short periods of time is important for understanding measurement reliability. We assess the consistency of and change in contraceptive use using longitudinal data from 9,390 urban female clients interviewed in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. Clients were interviewed in‐person at a health facility and four to six months later by phone. We compared reports of contrace…
Assessing the contraceptive supply environment in Kinshasa, DRC
Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 (PMA2020) is a population-based and facility-based survey program conducted in 11 countries to track contraceptive use dynamics and the supply environment. Annual data collection provides trend data unavailable from any other source. Two-stage cluster sampling was used to select 58 enumeration areas in Kinshasa; data were collected in 2014, 2015 and 2016 from three to six service delivery points (SDP…
The value of spatial analysis for tracking supply for family planning
While geographic information systems (GIS) are frequently used to research accessibility issues for healthcare services around the world, sophisticated spatial analysis protocols and outputs often prove inappropriate and unsustainable to support evidence-based programme strategies in resource-constrained environments. This article examines how simple, open-source and interactive GIS tools have been used to locate family planning (FP) services del…
Is Client Reporting on Contraceptive Use Always Accurate? Measuring Consistency and Change with a Multicountry Study
The consistency of self‐reported contraceptive use over short periods of time is important for understanding measurement reliability. We assess the consistency of and change in contraceptive use using longitudinal data from 9,390 urban female clients interviewed in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. Clients were interviewed in‐person at a health facility and four to six months later by phone. We compared reports of contrace…
Change in Fertility Intentions in the First Year of Covid-19
Recent evidence suggests that women in high-income countries desired to delay or forgo childbearing due to COVID-19, yet there remains insufficient evidence of COVID-19's impact on fertility desires in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We examined how quantum and tempo of fertility intentions changed in the first year of COVID-19 and assessed the impact of economic insecurity and sociodemographic characte…
The value of spatial analysis for tracking supply for family planning
While geographic information systems (GIS) are frequently used to research accessibility issues for healthcare services around the world, sophisticated spatial analysis protocols and outputs often prove inappropriate and unsustainable to support evidence-based programme strategies in resource-constrained environments. This article examines how simple, open-source and interactive GIS tools have been used to locate family planning (FP) services del…
The value of spatial analysis for tracking supply for family planning
While geographic information systems (GIS) are frequently used to research accessibility issues for healthcare services around the world, sophisticated spatial analysis protocols and outputs often prove inappropriate and unsustainable to support evidence-based programme strategies in resource-constrained environments. This article examines how simple, open-source and interactive GIS tools have been used to locate family planning (FP) services del…
Assessing the contraceptive supply environment in Kinshasa, DRC
Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 (PMA2020) is a population-based and facility-based survey program conducted in 11 countries to track contraceptive use dynamics and the supply environment. Annual data collection provides trend data unavailable from any other source. Two-stage cluster sampling was used to select 58 enumeration areas in Kinshasa; data were collected in 2014, 2015 and 2016 from three to six service delivery points (SDP…
Modern contraceptive availability and stockouts
Approximately 214 million women of reproductive age lack adequate access to contraception for their family planning needs, yet patterns of contraceptive availability have seldom been examined. With growing demand for contraceptives in some areas, low contraceptive method availability and stockouts are thought to be major drivers of unmet need among women of reproductive age, though evidence for this is limited. In this research, we examined trend…
Heterogeneity of Modern Contraceptive Use among Urban Slum and Nonslum Women in Kinshasa, DR Congo
Urban populations have been increasing at an alarming rate, with faster growth in urban slums than that in nonslums over the past few decades. We examine the association between slum residence and the prevalence of contraceptive use among women of reproductive age, and assess if the effect was modified by household wealth. We conducted cross-sectional analysis comprising 1932 women in slums and 632 women in nonslums. We analyzed the moderating ef…
The scale-up and integration of contraceptive service delivery into nursing school training in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), modern contraceptive prevalence is low by international standards: 29.6% as of 2020. A 2015 pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of using medical and nursing students to administer DMPA-SC (the subcutaneous injection) among other methods at the community level. The more far-reaching discovery was the potential of clinically trained students to increase access to low-cost c…
Is Client Reporting on Contraceptive Use Always Accurate? Measuring Consistency and Change with a Multicountry Study
The consistency of self‐reported contraceptive use over short periods of time is important for understanding measurement reliability. We assess the consistency of and change in contraceptive use using longitudinal data from 9,390 urban female clients interviewed in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. Clients were interviewed in‐person at a health facility and four to six months later by phone. We compared reports of contrace…
Self-injected contraceptives
Subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) is an innovative contraceptive method aimed at meeting women’s unique circumstances and needs, largely due to its ability to be self-injected. Substantial research and advocacy investments have been made to promote roll-out of DMPA-SC across sub-Saharan Africa. To date, research on the demand for DMPA-SC as a self-injectable method has been conducted largely with healthcare providers, via q…
Understanding the Broader Impacts of Covid-19 on Women and Girls in the DRC through Integrated Outbreak Analytics to Reinforce Evidence for Rapid Operational Decision-Making
Whilst men and boys account for more COVID-19 cases and deaths, the secondary impacts of the outbreak on women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are cross-cutting and far-reaching. School closures put girls at increased risk of adolescent pregnancy, sexual violence and early marriage; more women working in the informal sector have lost jobs and been affected by closures of markets and borders; and frequent restrictions on sexual a…
Predictors of Viral Non-Suppression among Patients Living with HIV under Dolutegravir in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo adopted the integrase inhibitor dolutegravir (DTG) as part of its preferred first-line HIV treatment regimen in 2019. This study aimed to identify predictors of viral non-suppression among HIV-infected patients under a DTG-based regimen in the context of ongoing armed conflict since 2017 in the city of Bunia in the DRC. We conducted a cohort study of 468 patients living with HIV under DTG in all health facilit…
Incidence and Predictors of Loss to Follow Up among Patients Living with HIV under Dolutegravir in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo
This study aimed to examine the incidence and predictors of loss to follow up (LTFU) in the context of ongoing atrocities caused by armed conflict, where HIV treatment programs and HIV-infected patients may face unique challenges in terms of ART adherence and retention in care. We conducted an observational prospective cohort study of 468 patients living with HIV (PLWHIV) under dolutegravir (DTG) in all health facilities in Bunia between July 201…
Predictive Factors of HIV-1 Drug Resistance and Its Distribution among Female Sex Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The predictive factors of HIV-1 drug resistance and its distribution are poorly documented in female sex workers (FSWs) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). However, the identification of predictive factors can lead to the development of improved and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). The objective of the current study was to determine the predictive factors of HIV-1 drug resistance and its distribution based on FSWs in the studied…
Determinants of Survival of HIV Patients Receiving Dolutegravir
This study aims to determine the factors influencing HIV-related mortality in settings experiencing continuous armed conflict atrocities. In such settings, people living with HIV (PLHIV), and the partners of those affected may encounter specific difficulties regarding adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and retention in HIV prevention, treatment, and care programs. Between July 2019 and July 2021, we conducted an observational prospective …
Abortion information-seeking experiences among women who obtained abortions in Kinshasa, DRC
Little is known about the process of seeking information related to abortion care options among women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Understanding how women obtain information can help identify opportunities for intervention to increase awareness and use of safe pregnancy termination options. Using qualitative data collected from women in Kinshasa, DRC who reported having an abortion in the last 10 years, this study aims to determine …
Family planning service disruptions in the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic
Many speculated that COVID-19 would severely restrict the delivery of essential health services, including family planning (FP), but evidence of this impact is limited, partly due to data limitations. We use cross-sectional data collected from regional and national samples of health facilities (n = 2,610) offering FP across seven low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) between 2019 and 2021, with longitudinal data from four geographies, to exami…
Predictors of mortality among inpatients in Covid-19 treatment centers in the city of Butembo, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Determining the risk factors for severe disease and death among hospitalized Covid-19 patients is critical to optimize health outcomes and health services efficiency, especially in resource-constrained and humanitarian settings. This study aimed to identify the predictors of mortality of Covid-19 patients in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 6 Covid-19 treatment centers in the ci…
Women’s Empowerment and Associated Factors in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Empowering women and promoting gender equality is crucial for accelerating sustainable development in fragile countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, there is scarce existing knowledge or understanding of the factors determining women's empowerment in these contexts. We aimed to assess women's empowerment and determine its associated factors in Kinshasa, DRC. We analyzed data from the 2021 Performance Monitoring Asse…
Abortion Incidence among Young Women in Urban Slums and Non-Slums in Kinshasa, DR Congo
More precise estimates of the incidence of abortion indicate that the incidence rate of abortion was higher among young women residing in slums who were unmarried and had no children. These incidences were higher among confidants than among respondents. There is still a lot of work to be done to fulfill the obligations outlined in the Maputo Protocol. The aim is to decrease the occurrence of unsafe abortions and their associated effects
Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Are Among the Main Underlying Causes of Death in Twenty Healthcare Facilities Across Two Cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to be a major cause of death, and CVD and diabetes are among the leading causes of early mortality in adults in urban areas. The proportional mortality related to CVD and diabetes appears to be higher in women than in men. Special emphasis should be placed on women, particularly during adulthood, to ensure the prompt detection of diabetes and cardiovascular conditions
Change in Fertility Intentions in the First Year of Covid-19
Recent evidence suggests that women in high-income countries desired to delay or forgo childbearing due to COVID-19, yet there remains insufficient evidence of COVID-19's impact on fertility desires in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We examined how quantum and tempo of fertility intentions changed in the first year of COVID-19 and assessed the impact of economic insecurity and sociodemographic characte…
Measuring adult mortality from mobile phone surveys in Burkina Faso, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In many low and middle-income countries, adult mortality estimates are derived from surveys and censuses conducted through face-to-face interviews. These interviews can be time-intensive and are often impractical during health crises or humanitarian emergencies. The expansion in cellphone ownership and network coverage has created new opportunities for collecting demographic data through mobile phone surveys, but our understanding of selection bi…
Factors Associated with Being on Track for Early Childhood Development in Kinshasa
Background/Objectives: This study examines the associations between household socioeconomic status (SES), child nutrition, and developmental status among children aged 24-59 months in the Mont Ngafula health zone in Kinshasa. The primary research question focuses on how SES and stunting affect developmental outcomes in early childhood. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 348 children, assessing developmental outcomes using…
Intimate partner violence help-seeking attitudes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
These findings reiterate the need to dismantle harmful gender systems and promote survivor-centered services. Confidence in services and corresponding attitudes favorable of seeking help are necessary to promote help-seeking for this leading form of gender-based violence
Nursing student training as a novel approach to increasing community-based access to contraception in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
This study evaluated the scale-up of an innovative approach to increasing modern contraceptive use in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on multiple outcomes: fidelity to design, acceptability, sustainability, satisfaction, adoption by other organizations, and penetration. The intervention consisted of incorporating a family planning (FP) module into the training of third-year nursing students, who then counseled and delivered services du…
Community knowledge, attitudes, and preferences towards vitamin A supplementation in a semi-rural health zone, Kasai Oriental, Democratic Republic of the Congo
BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency remains a critical public health challenge and affects children under 5 years of age in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the community-level knowledge, preferences, and attitudes towards vitamin A supplementation in a semi-rural Health Zone, Kasaï-Oriental province. METHODS: = 420). Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo 14. The primary respondents…
Impact of maternal and neonatal factors on mortality in the first six weeks of life
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is among the sub-Saharan African countries with a high neonatal mortality rate. Various interventions have been implemented to reduce this mortality rate, including the establishment of free maternity policy. This study evaluated the neonatal and maternal factors influencing infant mortality at 6 weeks of life. A prospective cohort study was conducted on infants recruited between March and July 2024 from mat…
Medicine (18 works) · Global Maternal and Child Health (15 works) · Environmental health (12 works) · Population (11 works) · Demography (10 works) · Economic growth (10 works) · Demography (9 works) · Economics (9 works) · Family planning (8 works) · Reproductive Health and Contraception (7 works)