Risk Factors for Undernutrition among Children in South Central Somalia

Objectives: Undernutrition is a global public health challenge, especially in countries that experience extreme climate conditions and armed conflict. In Somalia, undernutrition chronic, often graded for emergency response. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence on immediate, proximate, distal risk factors the most affected region Somalia.
 Setting: Data from cross-sectional nutritional surveys implemented by Somalia Food Security Nutrition Analysis Unit. Sampling followed multistage cluster sampling methodology where first stage, 30 clusters were randomly assigned villages, then households selected each cluster. Generalized Estimation Equations used determine undernutrition. analysis survey procedures.
 Participants: 60,856 children aged 6-59 months South-Central 2007 2012.
 Results: When at individual, household, society level considered simultaneously, diarrhea diseases geographical main underweight, child gender, meal frequency, livelihood zone stunting, while wasting. Geographical system significant undernutrition.
 Conclusions: Interventions address should be tailored prioritizing innovative climate-smart food production addressing childhood illnesses. findings inform nutrition policy programs could eliminate disparities burden other with similar contexts.