Characteristics of Households - Childinfo.org

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey in Serbia is anationally representative sample survey of households,women, young men and children. In addition to carryingout MICS4 on a nationally representative sample, asurvey was also carried out on a separate sample of Romasettlements in Serbia.The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS4) wascarried out in 2010 by the Statistical Office of the Republicof Serbia with financial and technical support from theUnited Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The resultspertain to November–December 2010, when the fieldworkwas conducted.Survey findings from both samples are presented jointlyin this report.Child mortality•The infant mortality rate among children livingin Roma settlements is estimated at 14 per thousandlive births, while the probability of dying under theage of 5 is around 15 per thousand live births (almostdouble the national average).Nutritional status•16 percent of children under the age of five areoverweight•The prevalence of child malnourishment (moderateand severe) in Serbia is relatively low: the prevalence ofunderweight is nearly 2 percent, close to 7 percent ofchildren are stunted, and 4 percent are wasted.•The opposite nutritional status is found amongchildren living in Roma settlements — the prevalenceof malnourishment is several times higher than thenational average (around 7 percent of children areunderweight and around 24 percent stunted). However,the prevalence of obesity is similar — 13 percent.Breastfeeding•Although all children aged less than six months shouldstill be breastfed exclusively, only approximately 14percent were exclusively breastfed at this age.•Only 8 percent of last-born children in the 2 yearspreceding the survey were breastfed for the first timewithin one hour of birth, and 39 percent of childrenaged 0–5 months were predominantly breastfed.•Between the ages of 6–23 months, 21 percent ofchildren receive breast milk and solid or semi-solidfoods. Among children aged 0–23 months, 19 percentare appropriately breastfed. Roma children living insettlements are more likely to continue to be breastfedthan the national sample. 41 percent of Roma childrenaged 6–23 months are receiving breast milk and solidor semi-solid food, and among Roma children aged0–23 months, 34 percent are appropriately breastfed.Low birth weight•Out of 99.6 percent of weighed live births, 5 percentwere below 2500 grams. In the Roma settlements, 96percent of live births were weighed, and 10 percent ofthose births were underweight.Oral rehydration treatment•Overall, 8 percent of children under the age of fivehad diarrhoea in the two weeks preceding the survey.A higher prevalence of diarrhoea is noticeable amongchildren living in Roma settlements, 14 percent.MONITORING THE SITUATION OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN 17