Konzo patients and their household food security in boko health zone, kwango province, D. R. Congo, april 2017

Background: Although konzo disease affects about one percent of the population of six provinces, it is a public health problem in Democratic Republic of Congo given its socio economic impacts. Mainly because of the physical disability that it causes, konzo presents a significant degree of burden for the household and community like Boko health zone. Konzo disability leads to household food insecurity. The present study explored food security of households with konzo patients in Boko HZ. Methodology: Mix approach was undertaken in April 2017 in five selected villages of Boko health zone. Structured interviews were first conducted in 42 konzo patients’ households. Then 32 patients from these surveyed households participated in 4 focus groups (FGD). Lastly in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 patients from the same households. Household food security status was calculated using the Household Dietary Diversity Score tool. Data were analysed using qualitative method (inductive approach) using the themes that emerged from data. Results: All konzo households surveyed were food insecure. They had lowest (47.6%) and medium (52.4%) dietary diversity scores. The majority of them suffered from poverty, and low literacy. The majority of respondents (85.7 %) contributed to household daily incomes with less than 1.90 $. From FGD and in-depth interviews, we found that participants in this study had inadequate knowledge about konzo, they were not stigmatised, and they participated in community activities. They contributed to household daily incomes. Conclusion: Households with a konzo patient experience food insecurity and poverty. Konzo patients suffer from low literacy and they are not stigmatized but they contribute fairly well to Household income. Special awareness is needed to improve the socio economic status of konzo patient that will improve their household daily incomes' contribution. Key words: Konzo, food security, contribution, income generating activities.