Factors of the occurrence of Mpox in the Kokolo Military Health Zone, in Kinshasa, DRC, from January to December 2025
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction
Mpox constitutes a growing global public health concern, particularly in Central Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the incidence has increased, with human-to-human and even sexual transmission. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the occurrence of Mpox in Kinshasa, in a military Health Zone.
Methods
An unmatched case-control study was conducted from January to December 2025. The case was defined as any person with a positive PCR; the controls were selected from the neighborhood of the case and had not been affected by Mpox. Data were collected from 192 cases and 576 controls using a questionnaire via KoboCollect. Statistical analyses were performed with Epi Info 7.2.6.0.
Results
The male sex was predominant (60.9%), young (major age group 15-29 years 76 or 39.6%, median age 19 years). The predominant symptoms were rash (99.5%), fever (95.3%), and physical asthenia (87.5%). The notion of mutation or recent travel (OR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.13-2.09), physical contact with a patient (OR=3.92; 95% CI: 2.84-4.96), having a pre-existing chronic pathology (OR=1.95; 95% CI: 1.24-2.41), sleeping in the same bed as a patient (OR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.14-2.29), washing the clothes of a Mpox patient (OR=1.77; 95% CI: 1.32-2.98) or wearing them (OR=2.27; 95% CI: 1.55-3.69), kissing the patient (OR=2.65; 95% CI: 1.46-3.73), eating/drinking with a Mpox case (OR=1.66; 95% CI: 1.19-2.28), helping the patient to eat (OR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.13-2.60) or to urinate (OR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.47-3.34), having sex with a casual partner (OR=3.41; 95% CI: 2.85-4.22), and being in contact with sick or dead animals (OR=1.54; 95% CI: 1.16-3.26) were factors associated with the occurrence of Mpox.
Conclusion
The transmission of Mpox in the DRC appears to be dominated by intrafamilial contacts, reinforcing the hypothesis of a now primarily human-to-human dynamic. The results highlight the need to strengthen community communication, surveillance, and access to care, particularly in rural areas.
Mpox constitutes a growing global public health concern, particularly in Central Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the incidence has increased, with human-to-human and even sexual transmission. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the occurrence of Mpox in Kinshasa, in a military Health Zone.
Methods
An unmatched case-control study was conducted from January to December 2025. The case was defined as any person with a positive PCR; the controls were selected from the neighborhood of the case and had not been affected by Mpox. Data were collected from 192 cases and 576 controls using a questionnaire via KoboCollect. Statistical analyses were performed with Epi Info 7.2.6.0.
Results
The male sex was predominant (60.9%), young (major age group 15-29 years 76 or 39.6%, median age 19 years). The predominant symptoms were rash (99.5%), fever (95.3%), and physical asthenia (87.5%). The notion of mutation or recent travel (OR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.13-2.09), physical contact with a patient (OR=3.92; 95% CI: 2.84-4.96), having a pre-existing chronic pathology (OR=1.95; 95% CI: 1.24-2.41), sleeping in the same bed as a patient (OR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.14-2.29), washing the clothes of a Mpox patient (OR=1.77; 95% CI: 1.32-2.98) or wearing them (OR=2.27; 95% CI: 1.55-3.69), kissing the patient (OR=2.65; 95% CI: 1.46-3.73), eating/drinking with a Mpox case (OR=1.66; 95% CI: 1.19-2.28), helping the patient to eat (OR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.13-2.60) or to urinate (OR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.47-3.34), having sex with a casual partner (OR=3.41; 95% CI: 2.85-4.22), and being in contact with sick or dead animals (OR=1.54; 95% CI: 1.16-3.26) were factors associated with the occurrence of Mpox.
Conclusion
The transmission of Mpox in the DRC appears to be dominated by intrafamilial contacts, reinforcing the hypothesis of a now primarily human-to-human dynamic. The results highlight the need to strengthen community communication, surveillance, and access to care, particularly in rural areas.
Article Details
How to Cite
KENGEA LEVIS, AMISI et al.
Factors of the occurrence of Mpox in the Kokolo Military Health Zone, in Kinshasa, DRC, from January to December 2025.
Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 14, n. 5, june 2026.
ISSN 2375-1924.
Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/7506>. Date accessed: 02 june 2026.
Keywords
Risk factors, Mpox, Outbreak, Military environment, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Section
Research Articles
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