43.1% of the population of 6 to 35 months of age suffered from anemia in 2023

During the year 2023, the anemia affected 43.1% of girls and boys of 6 to 35 months of age of the country; this was informed by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) by submitting the Results of the Main Indicators of the Budgetary Programs of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES-2023).

 

The greater incidence of this health problem was registered in the rural area (50.3%), compared with the urban area (40.2%). At departmental level, this iron-deficiency in blood affected in a greater proportion in girls and boys of the departments of Puno (70.4%), Ucayali (59.4%) and Madre de Dios (58.3%).

During 2023, the chronic malnutrition affected 11.5% of girls and boys under five years old in the country. According to residence area, this condition was higher in the population of the urban area (8.1%), than in the rural area (20.3%).

 

The departments that registered the highest levels of chronic malnutrition, in this population group, were registered in Huancavelica (26.1%), Loreto (21.7%) and Amazonas (19.9%).

The INEI informed that 32.0% of girls and boys of 6 to 35 months of age took iron-supplement, in the last seven days prior to the survey, registering a figure lower than in 1.4 percentage points, compared to the year 2022 (33.4%). 

 

Among the departments that registered the greater coverage of this treatment outstood Apurímac (45.7%) and Huancavelica (42.9%); meanwhile, Ica (23.4%) and Madre de Dios (24.3%), showed a lower progress.

During the year 2023, the percentage of girls and boys under five years old with Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), in the two weeks previous to the Survey, reached 14.6%. 

 

The greater incidence of Acute Respiratory Infection was registered in the departments of Loreto (28.6%) and San Martín (18.6%). On the other hand, Ucayali (6.2%) and Cusco (6.4%) registered the lowest percentages.

At national level, the occurrence of diarrhea in girls and boys under five years old, in the two weeks previous to the Survey, was of 16.0%; registering with greater frequency in the rural area (18.3%) than in the urban area (15.2%). According to departments, Loreto (26.4%) and Junín (22.9%), showed the highest percentages with the mentioned discomfort.

During the year 2023, 62.1% of the population under 36 months of age received vaccines corresponding to their age, compared to the year 2022 (55.9%), coverage that registered an increasing trend. Among the departments that registered the greater coverage of immunization, outstood Ancash (77.8%) and Apurímac (76.0%). Nevertheless, Puno (46.1%) and Loreto (49.7%) registered the lowest percentages.

Across the country, the occurrence of Growth and Development Checks (CRED) in girls and boys under 35 months of age, was of 20.2%; registering a greater attention in rural area (30.9%) than in the urban area (16.4%). 

 

The INEI informed that the departments of Apurímac (53.5%) and Huánuco (52.3%) presented the highest percentages of Growth and Development Checks (CRED). The change was lower in Puno (8.1%).

At national level, 69.3% of girls and boys under six months of age received maternal breastfeeding, result that showed an increasing trend compared to the year 2022 (65.9%). On the other hand, the departments of Tumbes (46.8%) and Ica (48.5%) registered the lowest percentages. 

During the year 2023, 86.7% of pregnant women of the country, received 6 or more prenatal care checks, a figure higher than the registered in the year 2022 (85.1%).

The Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES-2023) revealed that 93.3% of women had institutional birth, it means, they were attended in a health establishment by qualified health personnel. In this case also prevailed in the urban area (97.1%), compared to the rural area (81.9%).

 

During the year 2023, the percentage of births occurred by cesarean section was of 37.8%, compared to the last year this percentage tends to increase (36.6%). The mentioned surgical procedure was greater in the urban area (43,6%) compared to the rural area (21.0%). 

The INEI informed that the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), in women of 15 to 49 years old or women in childbearing age, was of 1.8 daughters or sons by woman. The TFR estimated for the rural area was of 2.8 daughters and sons by woman, a figure superior to the registered in urban area with 1.7 daughters and sons per woman.

The INEI informed that 77.4% of women of 15 to 49 years old currently with partner (married or common-law partners) used some method of family planning. In this population group, was greater the use of modern methods (58.6%); meanwhile that 18.8% of women currently with partner informed they use some traditional method.

 

The results of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES-2023) pointed out that 55.7% of women informed being victims of violence once by spouse or partner; percentage lower to the registered in the year 2022 (55.7%).

During the year 2023, 34.5% of women declared had been victims of psychological, physical and sexual violence once by the spouse or partner, in the last 12 months; lower in almost one percentage point to the registered in the year 2022 (35.6%).