Functional Capacity of Community Animation Cells (CAC) and its contribution in improving nutritional status for children under five in Bunyakiri Health Zone in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Indroduction: Malnutrition significantly contributes to high mortality rates among children under 5 in sub-Saharan Africa, with the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being particularly affected. In response, various strategies, including community outreach units, have been implemented to enhance child nutrition, specifically in the Bunakiri health zone of DRC's Southern Province. This study seeks to evaluate the functional capacity and the contribution of these CACs on improving the nutritional status of young children in the area. Methode: Data related to the functional capacity and the contribution of CAC in improving nutritional status of children under five were collected in a cross-sectional baseline survey conducted on a total of 280 households randomly selected in Bagana (control zone) and in Tshigoma and Bunyakiri (intervention zone). Results: The results show that Community Animation Cells (CACs) are more effective in improving child nutrition in the control zone compared to the intervention zone. Factors like household’s knowledge on the breastfeeding for children aged 20 to 24 months, training of CAC members on children nutrition, Knowledge of CAC members on the nutrition of children were associated to the functional capacity of CAC facilitating them to participate in the improvement of the nutritional status of children under five in Bunyakiri health zone. Conclusion: Efforts should be made in improving training, providing necessary resources, engaging communities, and adapting interventions to improve the functional capacity of CAC and increase their contribution for the improvement of nutritional status of children under five in Bunyakiri health zone Materials and Methods Context of the study area: The study was conducted in the Bunyakiri health zone, located in the Kalehe area of South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. This zone is bordered to the north by the Iteberro health zone; to the south and south-east by the Miti-Murhesa health zone; to the south-west by the Kalonge health zone; to the east by the Kalehe health zone, the Bushaku and Shicha Chandjofu peaks and the Minova health zone, separated by the Bulaisa mountain range; and to the west by the Mulungu health zone. The Tshigoma health area lies to the north of the Kachiri health area, to the south of the Mushunguti health area, to the east of the Ramba health area and to the west of the Makuta health area. Bunyakiri health zone is bordered by Bitobolo health area to the north, Muoma health area to the south, Chiriba health area to the east and Chisasa Hill to the west. The selection of these health areas was based on two factors. Firstly, the Bagana health area (control) was chosen due to its effective CAC members, who have successfully improved the nutritional status of children under five through community initiatives. In contrast, the Bunyakiri and Tshigoma health areas (intervention) were chosen due to the absence of functioning CACs in these villages which has led to a decline in the nutritional status of children. Study design: The study is of the quasi-experimental type, with three phases: baseline, intervention and endline. However, the data collected in this scientific article is based on a cross-sectional survey conducted at the start of the study in the control (Bagana health area) and intervention (Bunyakiri and Tshigoma health areas) zones. The study focused on the required standard feeding practices adopted by the CACs to achieve adequate nutritional status of children under 5 years of age. Members of the Community Animation Cells (CACs), families and households within children under five in the selected health areas constituted the target population for the data collection. The respondents included parents, family members, and other individuals responsible for the care and nutrition of young children.