Factors Associated with Non-Use of Lung Ultrasound by Doctors in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Background: Despite the widespread use of lung ultrasound in clinical practice, there are no clear evidence-based guidelines for teaching lung ultrasound in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the use of lung ultrasound by physicians in the DRC.Methods: Cross-sectional study, carried out online among 363 physicians in the DRC during the period from September to December 2024.Sociodemographic characteristics and those related to the performance of lung ultrasound were studied and analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 26 software.Results: Of the 363 physicians who responded to the questionnaire, 71% were men (sex ratio 3M/1F), with the majority in the 30 -39 age bracket (59%).The frequency of non-use of lung ultrasound was 39.1%.Factors associated with non-use of lung ultrasound were low level of knowledge (aOR: 2.1 IC 95%: 1.6 -3.8), usefulness of ultrasound (aOR: 3.2 IC 95%: 1.9 -5.8), challenge of ultrasound (aOR: 3.1 IC 95%: 1.7 -5.7) and low knowledge of the advantage over pneumothorax diagnosis (aOR: 2.3 IC 95%: 1.4 -3.7).Conclusion: Pulmonary ultrasound is used little in the DRC, and this weakness is associated with the lack of knowledge about the tool and the constraint of tools on practicability and possession.