Assessment of Interventional Radiology Practice and Knowledge in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Introduction: Interventional radiology procedures are performed at three levels: primary, intermediate and tertiary. They are classified as simple, intermediate and complex procedures. These procedures have become commonplace in Western countries and in certain emerging countries in North and South Africa. However, some of these procedures are still largely unknown and impractical in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the hospital environment of Kinshasa. Intermediate and complex procedures are performed in specialized hospitals; they are time-consuming and involve a high risk of exposure to ionizing radiation. Objective: To assess practices and knowledge of interventional radiology in DRC hospitals. Methods: descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 15/Aug/2023 to 15/Jan/2024, organized in the form of an anonymous electronic questionnaire evolving knowledge and practices of IR in hospital settings in DR Congo was sent electronically to healthcare providers (radiologists and non-radiologists) practicing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The socio-demographic profile of respondents, radioprotection in IR, radiology equipment available, IR procedures performed and level of competence in radioprotection and IR were recorded. Results: The participation rate in the present series was 35.6% for radiologists and radiology assistants, and 64.4% for non-radiologists. There was a predominance of males (77.5%) and females (22.5%). The age range 32 – 41 was predominant in both groups; 19.5% for radiologists/radiology assistants and 25.4% for non-radiologists. The average age was 38.9 ± 7.3 years for radiologists/radiology assistants and 38.8 ± 9.1 years for non-radiologists. The provincial city of Kinshasa was the most represented province in the present series with 67.4%, followed by North Kivu with 5.5%.91.9% of participants had heard of IR, while 8.1% of respondents had never heard of the discipline. In terms of knowledge of IR procedures, 59.7% gave a positive response, of which only 26.2% had complex knowledge of IR procedures. Conclusion: The level of knowledge and practice of IR in hospitals in the DRC is generally inadequate. This calls on the health authorities to organize a strategic plan for equipping the various hospitals, not forgetting the ongoing training of radiologists and non-radiologists
