Determinants of malnutrition among Pygmy children under five in Pygmy communities of Tshopo province, DRC, in 2025

Background Child malnutrition is a major challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly among Pygmy children living in precarious and isolated conditions. In the Bafwasende territory (Tshopo province), social exclusion, poverty, and poor access to healthcare exacerbate their nutritional vulnerability. This study aims to identify factors associated with malnutrition in children under five years of age from these communities. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in May 2025 among 455 children and their mothers or caregivers in three randomly selected health areas. Nutritional status was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) Anthro Z-scores (weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height). Bivariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression were used to identify associated factors. Results Among the children surveyed, 29.5% suffered from acute malnutrition, including 19.1% severe; 68.1% were stunted and 49.5% underweight. The most affected children lived in households with low food consumption, with expenditures of less than 5000 CDF, and were born to young, poorly educated, unemployed or separated mothers. Conclusions Malnutrition among Pygmy children in Bafwasende is alarming. Multisectoral, culturally sensitive interventions are urgently needed to improve their nutritional status.