Analysis of trends in the spectrum of oral diseases at the Chinese level‑II hospital for peacekeeping: A case study from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- 1The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
- 2General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- 3Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Western Theater Command, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
Abstract
Background: Oral diseases represent an important reason for consultation among personnel attending the Chinese level-II hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). By analyzing the trends in the spectrum of oral diseases, we aim to improve precision support in oral healthcare for peacekeepers. Materials and methods: Clinical data from outpatient visits during Batches 23, 25, and 26 at the hospital were collected. A total of 565 oral outpatient visits (205 in Batch 23, 154 in Batch 25, and 206 in Batch 26) were analyzed. Oral diseases were classified using ICD-11 into five categories, and their proportions and trends were compared using chi‑square tests and Cochran−Armitage trend tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: Oral outpatient visits accounted for the largest proportion of specialized outpatient consultations across all three batches, accounting for 22.19% (Batch 23), 21.21% (Batch 25), and 25.40% (Batch 26) of all outpatient visits. The proportion of diseases of hard tissues of teeth increased from 29.27% (Batch 23) to 49.03% (Batch 26) (P for trend < 0.001), and was significantly higher in Batch 26 than in Batches 23 and 25 (P < 0.001), with caries being the most common. Caries proportion rose from 11.71% (Batch 23) to 30.10% (Batch 26) (P for trend < 0.001). Among diseases of pulp or periapical tissues, pulpitis was the most prevalent; its proportion peaked in Batch 25 (33.12%) and then significantly decreased in Batch 26 (20.87%, P = 0.009). Periodontal disease declined from 15.12% (Batch 23) to 6.80% (Batch 26) (P for trend = 0.008), with Batch 26 significantly lower than Batch 23. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary insights for oral medical support in peacekeeping missions with similar settings, ensuring effective oral health protection for peacekeepers.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026analysis,
title = {{Analysis of trends in the spectrum of oral diseases at the Chinese level‑II hospital for peacekeeping: A case study from the Democratic Republic of the Congo}},
author = {Yifan Zhang and Juanqin Niu and Gang Chen and Dong Qin and Xiangjie Li and Lei Xu and Zipeng Li and Wei Xue},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0358265},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358265},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Analysis of trends in the spectrum of oral diseases at the Chinese level‑II hospital for peacekeeping: A case study from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
AU - Yifan Zhang
AU - Juanqin Niu
AU - Gang Chen
AU - Dong Qin
AU - Xiangjie Li
AU - Lei Xu
AU - Zipeng Li
AU - Wei Xue
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/15
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0358265
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358265
AB - Background: Oral diseases represent an important reason for consultation among personnel attending the Chinese level-II hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). By analyzing the trends in the spectrum of oral diseases, we aim to improve precision support in oral healthcare for peacekeepers. Materials and methods: Clinical data from outpatient visits during Batches 23, 25, and 26 at the hospital were collected. A total of 565 oral outpatient visits (205 in Batch 23, 154 in Batch 25, and 206 in Batch 26) were analyzed. Oral diseases were classified using ICD-11 into five categories, and their proportions and trends were compared using chi‑square tests and Cochran−Armitage trend tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: Oral outpatient visits accounted for the largest proportion of specialized outpatient consultations across all three batches, accounting for 22.19% (Batch 23), 21.21% (Batch 25), and 25.40% (Batch 26) of all outpatient visits. The proportion of diseases of hard tissues of teeth increased from 29.27% (Batch 23) to 49.03% (Batch 26) (P for trend < 0.001), and was significantly higher in Batch 26 than in Batches 23 and 25 (P < 0.001), with caries being the most common. Caries proportion rose from 11.71% (Batch 23) to 30.10% (Batch 26) (P for trend < 0.001). Among diseases of pulp or periapical tissues, pulpitis was the most prevalent; its proportion peaked in Batch 25 (33.12%) and then significantly decreased in Batch 26 (20.87%, P = 0.009). Periodontal disease declined from 15.12% (Batch 23) to 6.80% (Batch 26) (P for trend = 0.008), with Batch 26 significantly lower than Batch 23. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary insights for oral medical support in peacekeeping missions with similar settings, ensuring effective oral health protection for peacekeepers.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -