@article{jfnr20261414,
author={{Jessy, N¡¯ZAMBI Pressy Dornelle and Michel, ELENGA and Vital, MANANGA and Simplice, ITOUA OKOUANGO Yvon},
title={Preventive and Curative Skills on Acute Malnutrition among Mothers of Children Under 5 Years of Age in Pointe-Noire and Kouilou},
journal={Journal of Food and Nutrition Research},
volume={14},
number={1},
pages={26--37},
year={2026},
url={https://pubs.sciepub.com/jfnr/14/1/4},
issn={2333-1240},
abstract={Acute malnutrition, the third leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age worldwide, remains a major health concern in the Republic of Congo. Considering this problem, mothers should necessarily be aware of prevention and treatment aspects. Therefore, this study aims to assess mother¡¯s knowledge and practices regarding the prevention and management of acute childhood malnutrition. For this purpose, a questionnaire was used to collect data from direct interviews with 234 mothers. The results shows that 97.86% of mothers were at least 18 years old, 56.4% had a secondary education level, 65.81% had an income-generating activity, 56.41% were single, and 95.73% attended a health center. In addition, at least 80% of mothers know and practice food hygiene, 69% are aware of infant and young child feeding (IYCF), 64.1% know colostrum while 86% do not know the recommended time to give it and 50% know the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Half of the mothers know the food square, 92.74% know the weaning age. 64% introduce complementary food as recommended. 79.48% are informed about child malnutrition, 64.95% have attended an education session while half recognize marasmus and 33.33% recognize kwashiorkor. 26% have already had a case of malnourished child of which 52% were detected by a community relay and 92% of them followed the treatment in a health center. Additionally, 214 mothers were unaware that diagnostic parameters include height, mid-upper arm circumference, weight and edema. In short, a nutrition education strategy is urgently needed for IYCF, breastfeeding practices and the introduction of complementary foods, knowledge of the forms of acute malnutrition and diagnostic methods of acute malnutrition.},
doi={10.12691/jfnr-14-1-4}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}