Influence of environmental conditions on gestational age at delivery: a case-control study based on generalized linear models; North Kivu; June-October 2025

Authors

  • Kambale Isemighambo Anaclet Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Oicha; North Kivu; Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Pascal Atuba Mamenepi Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa; Kinshasa; Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Jean-Pierre Alworonga Opara University of Kisangani; Kisangani; Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Jean Paul Ngbolua Koto-Te- Nyiwa University of Kisangani; Kisangani; Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Félicien Tshimungu Kandolo Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa; Kinshasa; Democratic Republic of Congo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/w951vw58

Keywords:

Gestational Age, Premature Birth, Housing Quality, Environmental Health, Pregnancy, Geographic Locations, North Kivu, DRC

Abstract

Introduction:

Premature births are a major public health problem, especially in developing countries. The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of environmental conditions on gestational age at delivery in North Kivu.

Methods:

This case-control study was conducted in five health zones of North Kivu from June to October 2025 using cluster sampling of 136 cases and 272 controls. The study population consisted of mother-newborn pairs. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Tweedie's Generalized Linear Model with a logarithmic relationship function was used at a significance level of 5% to assess the adjusted influence of environmental conditions on gestational age at delivery.

Results:

In terms of living space, each 1.1% increase in room size was associated with a higher gestational age ( aOR = 1.011; 95% CI: 1.001–1.017; p = 0.001). For terrain, when the residence and basic services were at the same elevation level as estimated by respondents, the likelihood of a higher gestational age increased by 11.3% ( aOR = 1.113; 95% CI: 1.040–1.191; p = 0.002). For the living environment, the Kyondo health zone was associated with longer gestational ages, with a 78.5% increase ( aOR = 1.785; 95% CI: 1.001–3.182; p = 0.049).

Conclusion:

These results suggest that a larger living space, less difficult terrain, and certain characteristics of the domestic environment could lead to a longer gestation period.

Recommendation:

To improve housing conditions, access to essential services, and the development of living environments while strengthening prenatal monitoring of vulnerable pregnant women.

Author Biographies

  • Kambale Isemighambo Anaclet, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Oicha; North Kivu; Democratic Republic of Congo

    is an academic scientist at ISTM Oicha in North Kivu and a health worker in the Democratic Republic of Congo whose research and community health work focus on field medicine and community health. Working within medical research networks in Central Africa, her work is situated in an academic field with a focus on improving local healthcare practices. Most of her work, carried out in collaboration with national universities, concerns the documentation of prevalent diseases and the development of medical practices in urban and rural areas. Currently, he is continuing his doctoral research at the ISTM Kinshasa doctoral school in Maternal and Child Health.

  • Pascal Atuba Mamenepi, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa; Kinshasa; Democratic Republic of Congo

    is a trainer of advanced-level nurses (BAC+5). Since 2020, he has been teaching at the Faculty of Nursing at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques in Kinshasa. He is currently pursuing research in Biostatistics and Health Informatics at the Doctoral School of Health Sciences in Kinshasa. He has published a few articles in the Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases and BP International.

  • Jean-Pierre Alworonga Opara, University of Kisangani; Kisangani; Democratic Republic of the Congo

    is a well-known health and medical professional in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a faculty member at the University of Kisangani, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, and a specialist physician and research professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University Clinics of Kisangani for Child Health. His research and scientific publications focus primarily on newborn care in hospital settings, pediatric emergencies in rural areas, and the complications of erythrocyte alloimmunization in young sickle cell patients.

  • Jean Paul Ngbolua Koto-Te- Nyiwa, University of Kisangani; Kisangani; Democratic Republic of the Congo

    is an internationally renowned Congolese biologist and Professor of Biology at the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN). He holds a doctorate obtained jointly with the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research. He was Rector of the University of Gbado-Lite and is currently Secretary General for Research at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa (ISTM-Kinshasa). He is an accomplished scientist working with the environmental research project "Ubangi BioXplore " and is responsible for studying phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, and researching local plant-based medicines to combat diseases such as sickle cell anemia, malaria, and diabetes.

  • Félicien Tshimungu Kandolo, Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Kinshasa; Kinshasa; Democratic Republic of Congo

    holds a Ph.D. in Public Health. He teaches at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques in Kinshasa and other universities in the DRC. He was Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, where he significantly contributed to the reform of the education system, transitioning to the LMD (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate) system. He was a member of the thesis monitoring and support committee and a member of the thesis examination board at the Erasme Doctoral School, Research Chair in Nursing Sciences, University of Paris 13, Bobigny-Université, Paris, France, from 2015 to 2019.

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Published

2026-09-30

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): September 2026 issue

Section

Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research

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Copyright (c) 2026 Kambale Isemighambo Anaclet, Pascal Atuba Mamenepi, Jean-Pierre Alworonga Opara, Jean Paul Ngbolua Koto-Te- Nyiwa, Félicien Tshimungu Kandolo

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How to Cite

Isemighambo, A., Pascal, A., Opara, J.-P., Koto-Te- Nyiwa, J. P., & Kandolo, F. (2026). Influence of environmental conditions on gestational age at delivery: a case-control study based on generalized linear models; North Kivu; June-October 2025. Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 7(3), 13. https://doi.org/10.51168/w951vw58