Abstract:
A study survey was conducted for two consecutive years (2021-2022) in South-Kivu Province to assess the potential impact od drivers of the current status of health and nutrition of children. Primary and secondary data was collected with a questionnaire. Anthropometric parameters were measured and correlated with climatic factors. There was a variability(50-88%) in the prevalence of malnutrition status from a territory to another one. Bukavu urban health zones had the lowest status of malnutrition as compared to rural ones. Rainfall (GLM: Z=-7.78, P<0.0001), maximum temperature (GLM: Z=-5.54, P<0.001), altitude (GLM: Z=9.76, P=0.0275), wind speed (GLM: Z=4.23, P=0.023) were linked to rate of wasting and stunting of children and to burden of malaria and diarrhoeas. The geographic position (highlands, low lands, forest, savannah) and the degree of fertility of soil and crop productivity were also linked(P<0.05) to the current status of emaciation rate in children of under five years. The tribe, the level of education, the income level, the proximity to modern health services were also associated with the prevalence of general malnutrition of children and the household food security status. IT was recommended to policy makers to take into consideration sociodemographic, geographic and climatic and anthropogenic drivers while planning nutrition sensitive interventions to improve and reduce of the level of malnutrition in rural areas or while planning to ensure security in mountain zones of eastern DRCongo
Keywords: Chronic malnutrition, climate change, fragile health status of children, eastern DRCongo
Audience take away?
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R: by formulating proposals adapted to people of Africa with similar issues - How will this help the audience in their job?
R: by knowing the reality of problems at the ground - Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching?
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