Orphanhood among Children under Age 18 in Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Regional Perspective

Zacharie Tsala Dimbuene, Université de Kinshasa and Statistics Canada
Raphael Muanza Nzuzi, University of Kinshasa
Hardie Banza Ngoie, University of Kinshasa
Ornan Ipashi Ipashi, University of Kinshasa
Patrick Matabaro, Université de Kinshasa

There is an abundant literature on orphanhood in sub-Saharan Africa inspired by the rising HIV prevalence in many countries of the region. Most studies have been conducted at national levels, ignoring therefore the heterogeneity within countries. Yet this has programmatic policy implications. This study fills the gap in the context of Democratic Republic of the Congo and attempts to address the effects of two independent but important factors, namely HIV prevalence, and wars and violence in the Eastern part of the country using two Demographic and Health Surveys. Findings did not show any indication of a strong and significant relationship between HIV prevalence and orphan rates at provincial level. Based on these findings, there is a possible effect of wars and violence on orphan rates. Also, gender differences were observed at both national and provincial levels.