The University of Kinshasa (French: Université de Kinshasa), commonly known as UNIKIN, is one of the three major universities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, together with the University of Kisangani and University of Lubumbashi. Originally founded in 1954 as Lovanium University during Belgian colonial rule, the current university was established following the division of the National University of Zaire (UNAZA) in 1981. It is located in Kinshasa.The university had an enrollment of 29,554 and a faculty and research staff of 1,929 in the 2018–19 academic year, and currently has twelve academic divisions.
Traditional hunting, practiced for millennia in Central Africa, is central to the way of life of local communities. However, increasing demand for wild meat has led to a transition to commercial hunting, raising concerns about the sustainability of this practice. This study, carried out over 12 months in six villages on the outskirts of Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo, analyses hunting strategies and their impact on biodiversity. A total of 1769 hunting trips were documented, resulting in the capture of 1671 prey individuals belonging to 40 different taxa, for a total biomass of 9691 kg. Results show a predominance of metal snares (41% of recorded trips), followed by bow and arrow (30%) used at night with flashlights and guns (25%), with significant seasonal variations. Extraction of ungulates, representing 76.4% of the biomass harvested, suggests excessive pressure on these populations, confirmed by a rodent/ungulate index of 0.42. Reproductive analysis shows that 16.7% of hunted females were pregnant and 10.3% lactating, indicating the potential impact of hunting on population renewal. Practical implication. These results highlight the importance of putting in place appropriate policies and strategies for adaptive hunting management, incorporating quotas, seasonal closures, and economic alternatives to reduce pressure on wildlife to ensure biodiversity conservation and the sustainability of local communities' livelihoods.
Forests are important biodiversity reservoirs and require sustainable management to prevent deforestation and forest degradation. Forest landscape restoration (FLR) has been proposed as a sustainable initiative aimed at restoring ecosystem functions and improving the well-being of surrounding populations. In 2005, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiated a project to protect 200 ha of savanna in Manzonzi landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo, on the outskirts of the Luki Biosphere Reserve. The biodiversity changes related to this ecological restoration project remain unpublished. To address this knowledge gap, floristic inventories of the protected Manzonzi landscape were carried out over a 12-year period and we assessed how changes in the floral composition of this landscape evolved and affected the provision of ecosystem services (ES). We found that protection of the savanna by banning recurring bush fires and fencing off the area promoted the richness and abundance of forest species, such as Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich, Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W. Wight. These forest taxa replaced grassland species, such as Hymenocardia acida Tul. and Maprounea africana M & uuml;ll. Arg., and served to benefit the local population, who use these forest taxa as food, fuelwood, and medicines. This study revealed that protected savanna improved woody biomass, plant diversity (richness/abundance), and carbon storage, significantly boosting essential ES for communities; yet these positive trends reversed when active monitoring ceased. Protecting savannas improves the environment and benefits communities, but stopping protection efforts can undo these gains, emphasizing the need for ongoing conservation.
Sickle cell nephropathy is a common complication of sickle cell disease that begins in childhood and can progress silently to chronic kidney disease. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), data on early kidney damage in children with sickle cell disease remain limited. In 2017, studies conducted in the same context reported separately on the prevalence of microalbuminuria and glomerular hyperfiltration (GHF). This study aimed to update the prevalence of albuminuria and GHF and to determine their associated factors in children with sickle cell disease in the DRC. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 175 children with sickle cell disease, followed up in four hospitals in Kinshasa. High albuminuria and GHF, the main evaluation criteria, were defined respectively by an albuminuria/creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥ 30 mg/g and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 130 ml/min/1.73 m2 in girls and > 140 ml/min/1.73 m2 in boys, according to the Schwartz formula. Among the 175 children included, 28.5
This study examines the importance of nutrition in the context of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and its contribution to advancing other SDGs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Using a participatory and semi-quantitative approach, 35 experts from various fields assessed nutrition's impact on SDGs linked to health, education, economic stability, and climate resilience. SDG 2 strongly enhances SDGs such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Good nutrition reduces poverty. Conversely, SDG 2 is strongly influenced by several SDGs, including SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 8 (decent work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). This study underscores the interconnections of the SDGs and the potential of nutrition to drive progress across other SDGs, fostering sustainable and resilient growth. Future research should expand on these insights by employing longitudinal and quantitative approaches to monitor evolving SDG interactions. There is a necessity for a system-centered, nutrition-first policy approach in the DRC, acknowledging SDG 2 as both a promoter and a beneficiary of a comprehensive sustainable development.
