Kandala, Ngianga-Bakwin, Emina Be-Ofuriyua, Jacques, Nzita Kikhela, D. and Cappuccio, Francesco (2009) Diarrhoea, acute respiratory infection, and fever among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Social Science & Medicine, Vol.68 (No.9). pp. 1728-1736. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.02.004 ISSN 0277-9536.

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Abstract

Several years of war have created a humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with extensive disruption of civil society, the economy and provision of basic services including health care. Health policy and planning in the DRC are constrained by a lack of reliable and accessible population data. Thus there is currently a need for primary research to guide programme and policy development for reconstruction and to measure attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This study uses the 2001 Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey to disentangle children's health inequalities by mapping the impact of geographical distribution of childhood morbidity stemming from diarrhoea, acute respiratory infection, and fever. We observe a low prevalence of childhood diarrhoea, acute respiratory infection and fever in the western provinces (Kinshasa, Bas-Congo and Bandundu), and a relatively higher prevalence in the south-eastern provinces (Sud-Kivu and Katanga). However, each disease has a distinct geographical pattern of variation. Among covariate factors, child age had a significant association with disease prevalence. The risk of the three ailments increased in the first 8–10 months after birth, with a gradual improvement thereafter. The effects of socioeconomic factors vary according to the disease. Accounting for the effects of the geographical location, our analysis was able to explain a significant share of the pronounced residual geographical effects. Using large scale household survey data, we have produced for the first time spatial residual maps in the DRC and in so doing we have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of geographical variation at province level of childhood diarrhoea, acute respiratory infection, and fever prevalence. Understanding these complex relationships through disease prevalence maps can facilitate design of targeted intervention programs for reconstruction and achievement of the MDGs.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Population, Evidence & Technologies (PET) > Warwick Evidence Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Biomedical Sciences > Translational & Experimental Medicine > Metabolic and Vascular Health (- until July 2016) Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Children -- Health and hygiene -- Congo (Democratic Republic), Pediatric respiratory diseases -- Congo (Democratic Republic), Fever in children -- Congo (Democratic Republic), Diarrhea in children -- Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Democratic Republic) -- Social conditions
Journal or Publication Title:	Social Science & Medicine
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0277-9536
Official Date:	May 2009
Dates:	Date Event May 2009 Published
Volume:	Vol.68
Number:	No.9
Page Range:	pp. 1728-1736
DOI:	10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.02.004
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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