Abstract
BackgroundStunting and wasting in children less than 5 years of age are two key indicators of child malnutrition. Reducing their prevalence is a priority of the global public health community and for Somalia, a country suffering complex humanitarian emergencies such as drought, flooding, conflict and large-scale displacements.MethodsData from the nationally representative cross-sectional Somalia Micronutrient Survey (SMS 2019) on 1947 children were analyzed to assess the prevalence and potential risk factors of stunting and wasting. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted separately for children 0–5 months and 6–59 months, and population attributable fractions were calculated using adjusted risk ratios produced by Poisson regression models.ResultsAmong the 1947 children, the prevalence of stunting and wasting were 17.2% (95% CI: 15.0, 19.6) and 11.0% (95% CI: 9.3, 12.9), respectively. Among children 6–59 months of age, those residing in severely food insecure households had a higher risk of stunting (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.47; CI: 1.12, 1.93) compared to those in food secure households. This risk of stunting was also higher in children with inflammation (aRR 1.75; CI: 1.35, 2.25) and iron deficiency (ID) (aRR 2.09; CI: 1.58, 2.80). For wasting, a dose-response relationship was found with household wealth, with the risk of wasting increasing significantly as the household wealth quintile decreased. On the other hand, the risk of wasting was lower in iron-deficient children (aRR 0.69; CI: 0.49, 0.98) than in iron-replete children. Among children 0–5 months of age no variables remained statistically significantly associated with stunting in the multivariable analysis. Wasting, however, was more common in children with recent diarrhea (aRR 3.51; CI: 1.68, 7.36).ConclusionsNutritional status of children in Somalia may be improved by prevention of diarrhea and other infections and improvements in household food security.
Highlights
Stunting and wasting in children less than 5 years of age are two key indicators of child malnutrition
Using anthropometric data collected from children and data on other household members and household characteristics, we aimed to identify the potential risk factors of stunting and wasting in children 0–5 months and 6–59 months of age
Of the 1947 children recruited into the survey, approximately 20% are found in each 1-year age group between 12 and 59 months of age, children between 0 and 11 months accounted for only 15.8% of all children surveyed
Summary
Stunting and wasting in children less than 5 years of age are two key indicators of child malnutrition. Reducing their prevalence is a priority of the global public health community and for Somalia, a country suffering complex humanitarian emergencies such as drought, flooding, conflict and large-scale displacements. Stunting and wasting are two key nutrition indicators in children < 5 years of age. Short-term consequences of stunting include increased risk of infectious diseases [2], poor cognitive development [3], and increased morbidity [4]. The long-term consequences of stunting include reduced height and lean body mass in adulthood, along with decreased cognitive performance between 6 and 11 years of age and less educational attainment overall [5]. Wasting in young children often results in a weakened immunity and delayed physical development [1]
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