Facteurs associés à la prévalence de la malnutrition aiguë chez les enfants de 6 à 59 mois dans la zone de sante d’Uvira (RDC)

Abstract

Acute malnutrition remains a major public health problem in developing countries, particularly among children aged 6 to 59 months. In the Uvira Health Zone, the factors associated with acute malnutrition remain insufficiently documented. This study aimed to identify these factors through a descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component conducted from October 2025 to April 2026 among 423 children selected using multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered through KoboCollect and analyzed using Stata version 15. A bivariate analysis was performed at a 5% significance level (α = 0.05), and variables with a p-value < 0.20 were included in the multivariable model. Multivariable logistic regression was then used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), considering variables with p < 0.05 as statistically significant. The multivariable analysis revealed that several protective factors were significantly associated with a reduced risk of acute malnutrition. These included maternal education level, the child’s age, exclusive breastfeeding, the use of an improved water source, livestock ownership, the presence of a household vegetable garden, and good maternal nutritional knowledge (corresponding AORs: 0.31 and 0.16; 0.27 and 0.19; 0.29; 0.26; 0.42; 0.13; and 0.30, respectively). The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of acute malnutrition in the Uvira Health Zone and underscore the need to integrate educational, nutritional, socioeconomic, and environmental factors into prevention strategies through a comprehensive approach focused on improving living conditions and strengthening mothers’ capacities.