Spatio-temporal analysis of the distribution of waterborne diseases in children under 5 years of age from 2018 to 2022 in the Lemba health zone in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A retrospective and observational analysis

Background and Aim: The city of Kinshasa faces the problem of access to drinking water and sanitation; its  municipalities and health zones are exposed to a proliferation of waterborne diseases, a problem for the public health of the population. This study aims to carry out a spatial and temporary analysis of the distribution of waterborne diseases.

Methods: We carried out an environmental investigation followed by the collection of data that were processed by tools of the geographic and statistical information system using Pearson correlation to see the link between these diseases in space and time.

Results: The distribution of Malaria affects more intermediate zones, including Mbanza-Lemba with 9044 cases and an average of 1809 cases per year in the period studied; the same case is true for Typhoid Fever and Diarrhea which affect the flood zone including Gombele with 12420 cases with an average of 2484 cases per year of Typhoid Fever and 4931 cases for Diarrhea. The Salongo health area has the most recorded cases of Amoeba, including 2192, with an average of 438 per year. Malaria has a strong correlation with Diarrhea, which is 0.99, these two diseases have a strong to medium correlation with Amoeba. A negative correlation is observed with Typhoid Fever.

Conclusion: The distribution of waterborne diseases in space and time in the region studied is linked to physical factors such as altitude and slope, creating flood zones likely to increase the spread of these diseases. The problem of access to drinking water and the problem of sanitation are other factors facilitating the spread of these diseases.

Keywords: WIHC; Pollution; Sanitation; Malaria; Spatial Analysis.