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

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.