Evaluation of the Management of Newborns at Risk of Bacterial Infection at the Wangata General Reference Hospital, City of Mbandaka, DRC
Abstract
Introduction
Early-onset neonatal bacterial infection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where limited technical resources often mandate empirical management. At the Wangata General Reference Hospital in Équateur Province, structural constraints and geographical isolation exacerbate diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of management practices for newborns at risk of bacterial infection against national guidelines at this institution.
Methodology
A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over six months. It included a sample of 214 newborns with suspected infection. Clinical and therapeutic data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software, with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05.
Results
Respiratory distress was the primary reason for admission (45.8%). Although overall compliance with the first-line therapeutic protocol reached 71.9%, notable deviations in the form of inadequate monotherapies were observed. These failures were statistically associated with antibiotic stockouts and night shifts. The case fatality rate was 14.5%.
Discussion
The findings highlight a critical gap between official recommendations and field reality, characterized by the lack of specific biological tests and a reliance on probabilistic treatments.
Conclusion
Improving the prognosis of newborns at Wangata requires securing pharmaceutical supplies and strengthening the skills of on-duty healthcare staff.
Keywords
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How to cite
Bosenge Mokamei, T. (2026). Evaluation of the Management of Newborns at Risk of Bacterial Infection at the Wangata General Reference Hospital, City of Mbandaka, DRC. SDF Journal of Public Health. https://sfoundation.one/articles/sdf-2026-0047-evaluation-of-the-management-of-newborns-at-risk-of-bacterial-infectio