TITLE:
Nutritional Status and Feeding Practices of Children Aged 6 to 23 Months in Komanda Health Zone, Ituri
AUTHORS:
Désiré Ngona Gakumu, Raphael Iseayembele Bosalo, Gaston Boande Losangola, Emmanuel Tebandite Kasai, Joris Losimba Likwela
KEYWORDS:
Malnutrition, Complementary Feeding, Children 6 - 23 Months, Ituri, DRC
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.5,
May
8,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Child malnutrition is a major public health issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly affecting children aged 6 to 23 months. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of children in the Komanda Health Zone, Ituri Province, analyze their dietary practices, and identify factors associated with malnutrition. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical survey was conducted from June 12 to 29, 2025, among 475 children aged 6 to 23 months and their mothers, selected by cluster sampling. Sociodemographic and dietary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while anthropometric measurements were performed according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Malnutrition indices, stunting, underweight, and wasting, were calculated using WHO Anthro and analyzed via binary logistic regression. Result: The results showed that 50.7% of the children were stunted, 25.1% were underweight, and 15.8% were wasting. Complementary feeding began at 6 months for 74.95% of children, mainly composed of cereals and tubers (98.95%), while the consumption of dairy products remained low (26.74%). Only 49.68% of the children received a minimum acceptable diet. Multivariate analysis identified female sex, a minimum acceptable diet consumption, and higher minimum meal frequency as factors associated with a lower likelihood of underweight. Conversely, older child age was associated with underweight and wasting. Wasting, lack of minimal dietary diversity, and non-consumption of a minimum acceptable diet were also associated with a higher risk. No significant factors were observed for stunting. Conclusion: These results highlight the persistence of malnutrition among young children in Komanda Health Zone and highlight the importance of regular, diversified, and globally adequate complementary feeding to prevent underweight and wasting.