FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INTEGRATED CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE CITY OF KINDU, MANIEMA PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Authors

  • Prosper Tunda Kasongo Lukali Doctoral candidate at the University of the Martyrs of the Congo and the University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon; Senior Lecturer at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM) of Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Bob Senker Ndimba Senior Lecturer, PhD Candidate in Public Health, University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
  • Emery Kafinga Luzolo Full Professor at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM) of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Dieudonné Ndjonka Full Professor at the University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
  • Alphonse Masandi Milondo Full Professor at the National Pedagogical University and Rector of the University of the Martyrs of the Congo
  • Benjamin Hamuli Mastaki Professor at the University of Lwiro and Research Officer at the Geographic Institute of the Congo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/d8hgt324

Keywords:

Older people, integrated care, health facilities, quality of care, palliative care, care coordination, Kindu, RACINE de TUKALUP model

Abstract

Background: Population ageing is a major public health challenge, particularly in settings where health systems have limited human, material, and financial resources. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), integrated care for older people continues to face challenges related to healthcare providers’ competencies, professional practices, resource availability, service organization, and care coordination.

Objective: To analyse the factors associated with integrated care for older people in health facilities in the city of Kindu, Maniema Province, with a view to proposing an improvement model adapted to the local context.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods was used to examine healthcare providers’ knowledge, competencies, attitudes, and practices, as well as health promotion strategies, palliative care, resource availability, and service organization. The analysis also covered care procedures, referral mechanisms, supervision, and interprofessional coordination among 423 healthcare providers, using survey and interview techniques.

Results: The findings revealed several organizational and operational shortcomings. The absence of pain management protocols was reported by 54.8% of respondents, while 46.3% reported the absence of formalized referral mechanisms for palliative care. Furthermore, 73.5% identified insufficient staffing or a lack of available healthcare personnel as an obstacle to continuity and quality of care. These findings led to the proposal of the RACINE de TUKALUP model (2026), structured around six pillars: the State, insurance schemes and mutual health organizations, residential care facilities, healthcare institutions, universities, and older people. The model advocates a person-centred approach integrating prevention, health promotion, curative care, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and palliative care. It also emphasizes governance, financial protection, continuing professional development, resource availability, and coordination of interventions.

 

Author Biographies

  • Prosper Tunda Kasongo Lukali, Doctoral candidate at the University of the Martyrs of the Congo and the University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon; Senior Lecturer at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM) of Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

     

     Doctoral candidate at the University of the Martyrs of the Congo and the University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon; Senior Lecturer at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM), Kindu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

     

  • Bob Senker Ndimba, Senior Lecturer, PhD Candidate in Public Health, University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.

     Doctoral candidate in Public Health and Health Systems Financing, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Martyrs of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.

     

  • Emery Kafinga Luzolo, Full Professor at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM) of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

     Full Professor at the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

     

  • Dieudonné Ndjonka, Full Professor at the University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon

     Full Professor at the University of Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.

     

  • Alphonse Masandi Milondo, Full Professor at the National Pedagogical University and Rector of the University of the Martyrs of the Congo

     Full Professor at the National Pedagogical University and Rector of the University of the Martyrs of the Congo.

     

  • Benjamin Hamuli Mastaki, Professor at the University of Lwiro and Research Officer at the Geographic Institute of the Congo

     Professor at the University of Lwiro and Research Officer at the Geographic Institute of the Congo.

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Published

2026-11-02

Issue

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

Section

Section of Health Services Research

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Prosper Tunda Kasongo Lukali, Bob Senker Ndimba, Emery Kafinga Luzolo, Dieudonné Ndjonka, Alphonse Masandi Milondo, Benjamin Hamuli Mastaki

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Tunda Kasongo Lukali, P., Senker Ndimba, B., Kafinga Luzolo, E., Ndjonka, D., Masandi Milondo, A., & Hamuli Mastaki, B. (2026). FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INTEGRATED CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE CITY OF KINDU, MANIEMA PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.51168/d8hgt324

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