![[Congo] War, poverty, TB and HIV/AIDS have orphaned many children [October 2006]](https://assets.thenewhumanitarian.org/s3fs-public/styles/responsive_large_2x/public/images/2007227.jpg.webp?itok=scrNOHST "The survey attributed the high malnutrition levels to few children being exclusively breastfed and low consumption of vitamin A-rich foods, as well as a lack of dietary diversity - file photo")
Nutritional surveillance should be reinforced and therapeutic and supplementary feeding units extended to reduce acute malnutrition levels among children under five years old in the Republic of Congo, according to a survey conducted by the government and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
The nutrition and health survey, which sampled 2,734 children from birth to 59 months, found 15.4 percent to be chronically malnourished. At least 9.5 percent were acutely malnourished, with those aged 0-5 months in urban areas and 6-17 months in rural areas dominating this group. According to a statement issued jointly by UNICEF and the Congo government, this is a result of poor feeding practices.
"Only 15 to 26 percent of [infants] were exclusively breastfed; 47 percent don't eat food rich in vitamin A; 72 to 78 percent of mothers did not breastfeed their babies" immediately after giving birth, the statement said.
Mothers' health habits were also surveyed, with 2,173 sampled. Between 20 and 29 percent of new mothers were not examined after delivery, 44-53 percent were not provided with Vitamin A supplementation, and up to half did not seek care for infant fever and coughs, stated the survey, adding that there was limited anti-malaria control and use of oral rehydration salts to treat infant diarrhoea.
"The poor access of mothers to services, facilities and essential practical information explain the gravity of the situation," the statement said.
The survey was conducted among households in the urban districts of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire and the rural areas of Bouenza, Likouala, Plateaux and Pool.
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The nutrition and health survey, which sampled 2,734 children from birth to 59 months, found 15.4 percent to be chronically malnourished. At least 9.5 percent were acutely malnourished, with those aged 0-5 months in urban areas and 6-17 months in rural areas dominating this group. According to a statement issued jointly by UNICEF and the Congo government, this is a result of poor feeding practices.
"Only 15 to 26 percent of [infants] were exclusively breastfed; 47 percent don't eat food rich in vitamin A; 72 to 78 percent of mothers did not breastfeed their babies" immediately after giving birth, the statement said.
Mothers' health habits were also surveyed, with 2,173 sampled. Between 20 and 29 percent of new mothers were not examined after delivery, 44-53 percent were not provided with Vitamin A supplementation, and up to half did not seek care for infant fever and coughs, stated the survey, adding that there was limited anti-malaria control and use of oral rehydration salts to treat infant diarrhoea.
"The poor access of mothers to services, facilities and essential practical information explain the gravity of the situation," the statement said.
The survey was conducted among households in the urban districts of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire and the rural areas of Bouenza, Likouala, Plateaux and Pool.
aw/mw/am
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