Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and response on the utilisation of health services in public facilities during the first wave in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction Health service use among the public can decline during outbreaks and had been predicted low middle-income countries COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, government of Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) started implementing health measures across Kinshasa, including strict lockdown in Gombe zone. Methods Using monthly time series data from DRC Management Information System (January 2018 to December 2020) interrupted with mixed effects segmented Poisson regression models, we evaluated impact pandemic on essential services (outpatient visits, maternal health, vaccinations, visits for common infectious diseases non-communicable diseases) first wave Kinshasa. Analyses were stratified by age, sex, facility policy (ie, vs other zones). Results dropped rapidly following start ranged 16% hypertension 39% diabetes. However, reductions highly concentrated (81% outpatient visits) relative zones. When was lifted, total increased approximately twofold. Hospitals more affected than centres. Overall, vaccinations not significantly affected. Conclusion The resulted important utilisation particularly Gombe. Lifting led a rebound level but it remained lower prepandemic levels.