The aim of this study was to describe the operation of private health facilities in Bunia town, in the Province of Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo. The survey method, supported by semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, was used to carry out this work. The data were analyzed using the percentage. After analyzing the data, the study revealed what follows: - More than 4/5 of private health facilities have authorization to open the facilities; - The majority of health facilities have 1 to 3 buildings; - A weight scale, blood pressure monitor, microscope and consultation table are the basic materials and equipment needed to start up a private health facility; - Nearly half of private health facilities receive 1 to 3 capacity-building sessions each year. In view of these results, it is important that the health authorities put in place appropriate strategies not only to supervise the opening of private health facilities, but also to ensure that they operate in accordance with standards.

This study was carried out with the aim of describing the obstacles to entrepreneurship among young people in the Kasenyi business Centre. To conduct this study, a survey supported by a semi-structured interview was used with 196 young people. Content analysis using percentage calculations was used to analyze the data. After analysis the study revealed the following results: - In terms of personal obstacles, 32.14% of respondents mentioned fear of failing after starting a business. Among respondents who were not ready to start their own business, 67.68% felt that entrepreneurship was too demanding. - As for economic obstacles, the lack of funds (38,95), and difficulties in accessing financing (84.18%) were mentioned by the majority of respondents. - As for socio-cultural obstacles, the lack of support resources (13,68%), insecurity (14.74%) and unfavorable environment (12.63%) were mentioned by respondents. Although some of the young people who have been trained in entrepreneurship have actually undertaken activities, the obstacles are still enormous and need to be analyzed and overcome in order to get young people effectively involved in entrepreneurship.

This study was conducted in order to explore patients’ perception of the computerized management of faith-based health services in Bunia town. The ethnographic method supported by the semi-structured interview was used to carry out with 40 patients who had attended the two faith based health services using computerized management in Bunia town. After analysis, the study revealed the following: - The reception within these health facilities is good, but there is a problem of delay due to internet connection and also the mood of the staff. - Patients receive good guidance; - Data is well archived and easily retrieved; - Patients are completely confident about the security of their data, but they need the printed sheets; - The billing service works well with honesty and offers a good service for users. It is very fast when there is internet connection, but the prices are not changed as soon as it is fixed in the machine, and others have found it very expensive; - The respondents mentioned the focus of doctors only on the machine, some say that the doctors’ attention should first be on the patients and then on the machine and others have not observed any change despite this new system; - There is an improvement in health care, for others there is no difference with the traditional system. It was found that computerized management has no influence on the quality of health care, a part form the delay when the internet connection is low; - Generally speaking, the laboratory is fast if there is a good internet connection. In view of these results, it is necessary that new strategies be developed for the improvement of this computerized management system in health facilities.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with cleft lip and palate in newborns in referral health facilities in the town of Bunia. The cross-sectional method, supported by documentary analysis, was used to carry out this study, which targeted all newborns registered in the referral health facilities in the town of Bunia. Percentage calculations were used to analyse the data. After analysing the data, this study revealed the following: - The prevalence of cleft lip and palate in the referral health facilities in the town of Bunia was 1.93%. - Cleft lip and palate were more common in male newborns (62.4%). 88.6% of newborns with cleft lip and palate were born in pregnancies of 37-42 weeks of amenorrhoea. Nearly half and more than 1/3 respectively of the mothers giving birth to babies with cleft lip and palate were in gestational age 2 and aged 18-24 years. - The mother’s history of alcoholism and diabetes were identified as factors associated with cleft lip and palate in newborns in Bunia. In the light of these results, it can be concluded that cleft lip and palate continue to be recorded in health facilities in Bunia and that innovative strategies should be used to raise awareness among women of childbearing age.

This study was conducted to explore the experiences of Village Savings and Credit Associations (VSCAs) initiated by the PPSSP in strengthening the socio-economic power of their members. To achieve this objective, a mixed research methodology was implemented. Simple random sampling was used to select research subjects. Quantitatively, 198 people responded to our questions, and qualitatively, we were limited by saturation. After analysis, the study revealed the following: - The credits obtained by AVEC have enabled members to increase their income. These incomes are increased by the benefits derived from the creation of individual and/or group IGAs. - AVEC facilitates the economic and social empowerment of its members and improves their living conditions in their households and communities. - The analysis of the socio-economic empowerment of members of AVEC initiated by the PPSSP is based on: (i) the motivation to join, despite the socio-demographic characteristics of the members, (ii) the purchase of more than one share by members (95.96%), (iii) access to credit by members (68.18%), (iv) the reason for the loan oriented towards the creation of individual (82.32%) or group (30.30%) IGAs, (v) the income from IGAs earned individually or in groups, (vi) the members’ perception of the AVEC and the positive social representation of the communities with regard to AVEC activities. - The results also showed that the loans obtained facilitated the creation of other new income-generating activities in the communities, and strengthened social cohesion between AVEC members and their families. In the light of these results, we can conclude that it is essential to promote these initiatives in rural communities in order to strengthen the socio-economic power of the population.