67.4% of children under six months received breastfeeding

The National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) released the results of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) 2024, which showed that the 67.4% of the children under six months received breastfeeding in the year 2024, a lower result in 1.9 percentage point compared to the registered in 2023 (69.3%).

By department it was observed that in Pasco (88.5%), Ucayali (83.7%) and Cajamarca (83.4%) was registered a greater prevalence of maternal breastfeeding; nevertheless, in Ica (45.8%), Lima Metropolitan area (54.1%) and Lambayeque (57.3%) were observed the lowest percentages.

The presentation event was led by the Doctor Gaspar Morán Flores, chief of the INEI, who was being accompanied by Eric Peña, vice minister of the public health of the Ministry of Health (MINSA), and Mr. Hugo González, a representative in Peru of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Leendert Nederveen, representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO.

The ENDES 2024 showed that the 33.8% of children of 6 to 35 months of age received an iron supplement, a greater result in 1.8 percentage point compared to the levels observed in 2023 (32.0%).

In the year 2024, the prevalence of anemia in the population of 6 to 35 months of age was of 35.3% at national level. By residence place, in the rural area the anemia affected the 44.7% of children of 6 to 35 months of age and in the urban area affected the 31.2%. By departments it is appreciated that the iron deficiency in the blood affected in greater proportion to children of Puno (53.1%) and Loreto (50.9%); in accordance with the new Decree WHO 2024(RM 251-2024-MINSA)

The results of the 2024 ENDES indicated that the 79.2% of the population under 12 months of age received vaccines according to its age, figure that reflected an increase of 1.7 percentage point compared to the year 2023 (77.5%). At national level, the coverage of vaccine in children was greater in the departments of San Martín (89.7%), Tumbes (88.0%) and Apurímac (87.8%).

At national level, in the year 2024, the chronic malnutrition affected 12.1% of children under five years old, a higher figure in 0.6 percentage point compared to 2023. The departments with greater incidence of chronic malnutrition in children under five years old were Huancavelica (24.0%), Cajamarca and Amazonas (20.4%, for both cases).

Regarding the development of children, it is appreciated that in the year 2024, 50.8% of children of 9 to 12 months of age had an appropriate interaction with their mother, higher output compared to the result obtained in the year 2023 (48.9%). In addition, 92.6% of mothers of children of this age group informed that they have immediately and promptly responded to their son's cry.

The results of the 2024 ENDES indicates that more than two-fifths of children of 9 to 36 months of age (42.4%) reached an effective verbal communication at comprehensive and expressive level. The verbal interaction of children with other adults would benefit the development of an appropriate verbal communication.

Meanwhile, 40.9% of children between 19 and 36 months of age frequently participate in conversations between adults, figure lower in 1.8 percentage point compared to the year 2023 (42.7%).

61.5% of the population of 12 to 18 months of age walk alone
According to the results of the 2024 ENDES, 61.5% of children of 12 to 18 years of age walk by their own initiative, without the need to stop at every step to achieve the balance. In addition, 39.5% of children of 24 to 71 months of age regulates their emotions and behaviors in situations of frustration and setting limits.