Factors associated with preschool attendance by children aged 12 to 59 months: a cross-sectional analytical study in the peri-urban environment of the city of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

Gaston Boande Losangola; Eugene Basandja Longembe; Raphael Iseayembele Bosalo; Rachel Olonga Atike; Véronique Mokoto Lokoni; Franck Esuka Igabuchia; Alliance Tagoto Tepungipame; Emmanuel Tebandite Kasai; Joris Losimba Likwela

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252088

Authors

Gaston Boande Losangola Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Eugene Basandja Longembe Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Raphael Iseayembele Bosalo Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Rachel Olonga Atike Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Véronique Mokoto Lokoni Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Franck Esuka Igabuchia Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Alliance Tagoto Tepungipame Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Emmanuel Tebandite Kasai Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Joris Losimba Likwela Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252088

Keywords:

Pre-school consultation, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mothers, Attendance, Associated factors

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with attendance at pre-school consultations by children aged 12-59 months in the peri-urban areas of Kisangani.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from 15 June to 15 July 2024 on 850 mother-child pairs selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Factors associated with pre-school consultations attendance were analysed using logistic regression with a stepwise degressive approach at the 10% threshold.

Results: The rate of attendance at pre-school consultations was 28.9%. Factors favoring attendance included: the mother's knowledge of the age at which HPC should be started (aOR=9.11; CI95%: 3.01-27.54), the organization of HPC early in the day by the health care facility (HCF) (aOR=5.34; CI95%: 1.18-24.09), the mother's participation in health education sessions (aOR=25.99; CI95%:16.89-42.35), receiving a recommendation from the HSE team to continue pre-school consultations after vaccination (aOR=3.32; CI95%: 1.10-10.02), a waiting time ≤3 hours (aOR=2.3; CI95%: 3.66-25.30) and having a source of income (aOR=5.40; CI95%: 2.39-12.20). In contrast, input stock-outs reduced attendance (aOR=0.18; CI95%: 0.08-0.42).

Conclusions: Attendance at SPCs remains low in the peri-urban area of Kisangani. Improving the availability of inputs and considering the factors that have a positive influence on attendance could increase mothers' adherence to SPCs.

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