Baseline analysis of the underlying causes of child undernutrition in eight health-areas of Luisa - Central Kasai, Democratic Republic of Congo

In the Democratic Republic of Congo almost half of the children are affected by chronic undernutrition, while one million are currently suffering from acute undernutrition. This research aims to explore the correlation among some underlying causes of malnutrition – food insecurity and WASH practices – in a household sample in the region of Luiza, in Central Kasai. Undernutrition prevalence, defined as wasting, stunting and underweight, was crossed with WASH and food security indicators. From the results obtained, both underweight and wasting are correlated with absence of covered latrines and protected water sources. No correlation was found between food security, assessed through Food Consumption Score, and undernutrition
prevalence. Higher scores for coping strategies were correlated to higher prevalence of undernutrition.
Whereas furthers surveys and evaluations are needed to confirm the findings, it is recommended to reinforce in the short-term the nutrition-specific interventions as well as the nutrition-sensitive interventions in the long-term.