Orapuh Journal
https://www.orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj
<p>Orapuh Journal (Orap J) is an open-access, internationally peer-reviewed online journal dedicated to oral and public health. The journal provides accessible, high-quality, peer-reviewed knowledge to oral and public health professionals, educators, consumers, and the global community.</p> <p><strong>Aim</strong><br>Orapuh Journal aims to enhance access to superior information and research in oral and public health while fostering the development of emerging researchers and authors, particularly from underserved areas within these disciplines.</p> <p><strong>Scope</strong><br>Orapuh Journal prioritises:</p> <p>1. Original research<br>2. Comprehensive and critical review articles<br>3. Evidence-based information<br>4. Interactive clinical and related content<br>5. Content contributions focused on advancing oral and public health disciplines.</p> <p><strong>Open Access Information</strong></p> <p>All articles in Orap J are open-access articles distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.</p> <p>Click <a href="https://www.orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/about"><strong>here</strong></a> to read more about the Journal. Find out <a href="http://orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/why-choose">why <em>Orap J</em> is your quick access to being</a>!</p> <p><strong><a href="https://orapuh.org/2023/11/01/the-vital-role-of-communicating-dental-and-public-health-research-findings/">Click here</a></strong> to read an article about the vital role of communicating oral and public health research findings to the scientific community.</p> <p><a href="http://orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/editorial-policies">Editorial Policies</a> <a href="https://orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/about/editorialTeam">Editorial Team</a> <a href="http://orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/about/submissions">Author Guidelines</a></p>Orapuh, Inc.en-USOrapuh Journal2644-3740<p>Authors of articles published in <em>Orap J</em> are the copyright holders of their articles. When they accept our terms of use, they grant any third party the right to use, reproduce or disseminate their article freely without fiscal or registration restrictions.</p> <p> </p>Validation of the sickle scan technique used to diagnose sickle cell disease
https://www.orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/article/view/e1211
<p><strong>Introduction </strong></p> <p>Sickle cell disease is a multifactorial haemoglobinopathy that causes various abnormalities in affected individuals. Several diagnostic methods exist, but most require sophisticated techniques that are not available in Congolese diagnostic centres involved in this activity. Considering the number of affected individuals in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (The Democratic Republic of the Congo) (50 million people affected), and the precarious financial situation of our countries, it is essential to develop low-cost techniques to facilitate access to screening for our populations.</p> <p><strong>Purpose</strong></p> <p>This study aimed to validate the rapid "Sickle SCAN" method, manufactured by ZENTECH, as a tool for rapid diagnostic testing.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong></p> <p>We assessed a single validation criterion: selectivity. This was done using samples with known haemoglobin status. The results of the Sickle SCAN test obtained from 290 subjects were compared with those obtained through isoelectric focusing, the reference method, using the Chi-square test. The duration for trait appearance was also evaluated.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong></p> <p>The Sickle SCAN test demonstrated 100% selectivity. Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test confirmed that the results from isoelectric focusing were identical to those obtained using the Sickle SCAN method. This test can also be applied to samples collected on blotting paper. The interpretation time should not exceed 2 minutes, contrary to the manufacturer's claims.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p> <p>The Sickle SCAN rapid screening test, manufactured by ZENTECH, produced satisfactory results and is suitable for use by the Congolese population to screen for sickle cell disease. This test has the advantages of being accessible, available, and easy to use.</p>Magain Mihatano BarihutaGuelord InkalabaJocelyn Kakumba Mankulu Olivier NzingulaMaguy Luvandu MbenzaNicole M. MisengabuM NdemeMichel DiyiMbembe BitengeliTresor Bayebila MenanzambiNsimba MieziJosé Lami NzunzuFridolin Kodondi Kule-koto
Copyright (c) 2025 Magain Mihatano Barihuta, Guelord Inkalaba, Jocelyn Kakumba Mankulu , Olivier Nzingula, Maguy Luvandu Mbenza, Nicole M. Misengabu, M Ndeme, Michel Diyi, Mbembe Bitengeli, Tresor Bayebila Menanzambi, Nsimba Miezi, José Lami Nzunzu, Fridolin Kodondi Kule-koto
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2025-01-292025-01-2962e1211e121110.4314/orapj.v6i2.11Performance qualification of automatic volumetric pipettes used in university hospitals in the DRC: Case of Kinshasa, Bukavu, and Kisangani
https://www.orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/article/view/e1212
<p><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p>Automatic micropipettes are widely used in clinical biology for quantitative analyses in medical diagnostics. However, in many hospitals in developing countries, this equipment is often not verified for accuracy in collecting biological sample volumes. This oversight can result in biased diagnoses with significant public health consequences, such as misdiagnosing a healthy individual as ill, or vice versa.</p> <p><strong>Purpose</strong></p> <p>This study aimed to evaluate the performance of automatic volumetric micropipettes used in hospitals across three cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Bukavu, Kisangani, and Kinshasa.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong></p> <p>Fifty micropipettes were collected from hospitals in these three major cities. All micropipettes were air-displacement type A, single-channel, with fixed and variable volumes. For each micropipette, 10 repeatable deliverable volumes were weighed. The mass of water obtained was converted to volume using the density of water at room temperature (approximately 1 g/mL at 20°C). Precision was evaluated using the coefficient of variation, while accuracy was determined by comparing the delivered volume to the nominal volume. The tolerances recommended by ISO 8655:2002 were applied in analyzing the results.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong></p> <p>The findings revealed that 12 out of 50 (24%) of the micropipettes analyzed were non-compliant. Non-compliance rates included 14% in Kinshasa and 10% in Bukavu, while all micropipettes from Kisangani were compliant.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p> <p>This research highlights the importance of reinforcing staff skills regarding equipment performance verification. Ensuring the performance of micropipettes is crucial to the quality assurance systems in clinical biology laboratories, as it guarantees reliable medical diagnostic results and safeguards public health.</p>Joenna Bapite MusongielaJocelyn Mankulu KakumbaEmile Tweni BarutiTimothé Mavanga MabayaJacquie Bolavie BolandeSara Munguakonkwa Byamungu Jérémie Mbinze Kindenge
Copyright (c) 2025 Joenna Bapite Musongiela, Jocelyn Mankulu Kakumba, Emile Tweni Baruti, Timothé Mavanga Mabaya, Jacquie Bolavie Bolande, Sara Munguakonkwa Byamungu , Jérémie Mbinze Kindenge
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
2025-01-292025-01-2962e1212e121210.4314/orapj.v6i2.12The development and validation of an UV-Vis spectrophotometric method for the determination of ciprofloxacin in raw material and dosage forms
https://www.orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/article/view/e1213
<p><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p>The quality control of medicines is crucial for market surveillance worldwide. With the growing problem of counterfeit drugs, it is important to protect the population from substandard medicines and equip professionals with effective analysis tools. Analytical methods such as UV-Vis spectrometry offer advantages over techniques like HPLC, which require more expensive equipment and solvents, especially in developing countries.</p> <p><strong>Purpose</strong></p> <p>This study aimed to develop and validate a simple, precise, accurate, reproducible, and less expensive UV-Vis spectrophotometric method for determining ciprofloxacin HCl in its pure form and dosage forms.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong></p> <p>An appropriate wavelength was selected by scanning a ciprofloxacin HCl standard solution in 0.1M hydrochloric acid between 200–400 nm. The absorption maximum at 277 nm was chosen for further analysis. The method was developed and validated according to ICH guidelines, evaluating criteria such as linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity/selectivity, robustness, LOQ, and LOD.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong></p> <p>Ciprofloxacin HCl showed maximum absorption at 277 nm, following Beer-Lambert's law within the concentration range of 2.5 to 15 µg/ml. The linear regression equation was Y = 0.1104x, with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.999. The LOD and LOQ were 0.4385 µg/ml and 1.4617 µg/ml, respectively. Intra- and inter-day precision had relative standard deviations under 2%, with recovery rates for selectivity (98.36–98.72%) and accuracy (100.10–100.83%) within acceptable ranges. Robustness standard deviations were below 2%, and ciprofloxacin levels in the samples ranged from 94.10% to 110%.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p> <p>The validated method is suitable for routine quantification of ciprofloxacin HCl as raw API or in tablet forms, with revalidation needed for other pharmaceutical forms.</p>Timothé Mavanga MabayaJocelyn Mankulu KakumbaMannix Mayangi MakolaAdelard Mbenza PuatiDidi Mana KialengilaJean Mavar Tayey MbayJeremie Mbinze
Copyright (c) 2025 Timothé Mavanga Mabaya, Jocelyn Mankulu Kakumba, Mannix Mayangi Makola, Adelard Mbenza Puati, Didi Mana Kialengila, Jean Mavar Tayey Mbay, Jeremie Mbinze
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
2025-02-082025-02-0862e1213e121310.4314/orapj.v6i2.13Medication adherence among hypertensive patients at Monkole Hospital Center
https://www.orapuh.org/ojs/ojs-3.1.2-4/index.php/orapj/article/view/e1214
<p><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p>Improving medication adherence is essential for the effective management of hypertension.</p> <p><strong>Purpose</strong></p> <p>This study aimed to assess the level of antihypertensive medication adherence among adult hypertensive patients at Monkole Hospital Center, evaluate their knowledge of hypertension complications, and identify predictive factors for good adherence.</p> <p><strong>Methods </strong></p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 121 hypertensive patients attending the Internal Medicine Department of Monkole Hospital Center from 1 August 2021 to 31 December 2021. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire. Medication adherence was assessed using the Girerd scale. Factors associated with adherence were identified using binary logistic regression analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with SPSS version 25. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p> <p><strong>Results </strong></p> <p>Among the 121 hypertensive patients, 32.2% demonstrated good adherence, 44.6% had minimal adherence problems, and 23.1% had poor adherence. Overall, 76.8% were classified as good adherents. More than half of the participants (52.9%) were female, with a mean age of 55.8 ± 10.9 years. Patients younger than 50 years (AOR = 0.136, 95% CI = 0.048–0.897, P = 0.000) and single patients (AOR = 0.086, 95% CI = 0.012–0.629, P = 0.016) were less adherent compared to those aged 50 years or older and married patients.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion </strong></p> <p>Patients at Monkole Hospital Center were generally classified as good adherents based on the Girerd scale. More than half of the patients were informed about their disease by doctors. Older age and being married were associated with better medication adherence.</p>Christian Baningime Monshe Jocelyn Mankulu KakumbaFrancine Nsuadi Manga
Copyright (c) 2025 Christian Baningime Monshe , Jocelyn Mankulu Kakumba, Francine Nsuadi Manga
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2025-02-122025-02-1262e1214e121410.4314/orapj.v6i2.14