“More than half of Burundian children under 5 are too small for their age and are stunted,” reveals the findings of the 2016-2017 Demographic and Health Survey published on November 20 by Burundi Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies -ISTEEBU.
Children suffering from malnutrition from Kirundo receiving food assistance
Growth stunting is a sign of chronic undernourishment, highlights the survey.
According to this survey, the prevalence of growth stunting is higher with 59% in rural areas than in urban areas with a prevalence of 28%. The study reveals that growth stunting also varies by provinces. It moves from 24% in Bujumbura city to 66% in Muyinga province.”
The survey also shows that 5% of children under 5 suffer from acute malnutrition and 29% of them are too thin compared to their age.
There has not been any significant change in the nutritional status of children under 5 from 1987 to 2016-18.
According to the same survey, 61% of children aged from 6 to 59 months are anemic, what indicates that the prevalence of anemia is higher with 84% among children aged between 6 and 8 months. The prevalence of anemia has increased from 45% in 2010 to 61% in 2016-2017.
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