Prevalence and inequality in malnutrition in the territory of Befale, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2022

Background Malnutrition has increased healthcare spending, reduced productivity and slowed economic growth, which can fuel a vicious cycle of poverty and poor health. Despite the funds, the actions on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, and the promotion of Protocole National de Prise en Charge Intégrée de la Malnutrition Aiguë (PCIMA), there are strong disparities in the different forms of malnutrition between provinces and within provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study aims to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated with these disparities of different forms of malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in the Befale territory in 2022. Methods This study used secondary data from the National Nutrition Program to conduct an analytical cross-sectional survey on children in the Befale territory in 2022 who were between the ages of 6 and 59 months. The secondary data was used on the recommendation of the national nutrition program which, in its perceptions, would like to expose the factors underlying malnutrition in the affected regions. The nutritional indices, including the weight-for-height, height-for-age and weight-for-age index, were calculated. Descriptive statistics were used to describe age, sex, weight, height, illnesses suffered over the past two weeks. Inferential statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s chi-square, odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval. Results Among the 1088 children, 50.8% were female. In Befale, 2.5% of children had severe acute malnutrition, while the prevalence of acute malnutrition was 11.3%. There was a 44.9% stunting rate and a 24.7% underweight rate. Underweight and stunting were statistically associated with age and sex. Conclusions There are disparities depending on the form and the villages. Considering demographic variables (age and sex in particular) is still a useful way to fight malnutrition in Befale. Our results argue in favour of strengthening the promotion and protection of optimal IYCF practices across the 1000 days (from pregnancy to two years of age).