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Democratic Republic of the Congo

Key messages for primary care practitioners

  • If the patient is new to the UK explain to them how the NHS operates and discuss how this compares to the healthcare system they've been used to.
  • Screen all new entrants (including children) from this country for TB.
  • There is a high burden of Multi Drug Resistant TB in this country.
  • All patients from this country should be offered and recommended an HIV test.
  • Sexually active individuals should be offered a full sexual health screen and safer sex health promotion advice.
  • This country has an intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B. Consider screening for hepatitis B, particularly among those who have recently arrived.
  • This country has a considerably higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK.  Consider screening for hepatitis C.
  • There is a high risk of malaria in this country.
  • Ensure all patients are up to date with the UK immunisation schedule.
  • There is a high risk of anaemia in people from this country. Be alert to this possibility in recently arrived migrants, particularly for women and pre-school children, and test as clinically indicated.
  • Consider vitamin D deficiency in individuals who may be at risk as a result of their diet, skin colour or lack of sun exposure.
  • There is a high risk of vitamin A deficiency in this country.

Key Facts

Democratic Republic of the Congo map

Map courtesy of
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency

Country profiles

For a summary of key health indicators and health care please see

WHO Democratic Republic of the Congo [external link]

For background information on the country, its government and its people please see 

BBC Democratic Republic of the Congo [external link]

and

World Factbook Democratic Republic of the Congo [external link]

Languages*

French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken

See language interpretation

Religions*

Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est.)

 

Migration to the UK

At the time of the 2001 Census there were almost 3,000 people from this country living in the UK. Most migrants from this country who are currently living in the UK arrived during the last 20 years.

 

*Source: World Factbook

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