Prevalence of Stunting and Its Associated Factors Among Children Residing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps in Hargeisa, Somaliland: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Barkhad Aden Abdeeq; Ahmed Ismail Mohamed; Abdiwahab Ismail Abdi; Jama Mohamed; Dessalegn Tamiru; Kalkidan Hassen Abate

doi:10.2147/PHMT.S439586

Prevalence of Stunting and Its Associated Factors Among Children Residing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps in Hargeisa, Somaliland: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Pediatric Health Med Ther. 2024 Jan 9:15:17-27. doi: 10.2147/PHMT.S439586. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Barkhad Aden Abdeeq¹, Ahmed Ismail Mohamed², Abdiwahab Ismail Abdi³, Jama Mohamed⁴, Dessalegn Tamiru⁵, Kalkidan Hassen Abate⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Child Survival, Save the Children International, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
² Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Hargeisa, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
³ School of Medical Laboratory Science, Edna Aden University, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
⁴ Faculty of Statistics and Data Science, University of Hargeisa, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
⁵ Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Stunting, a consequence of prolonged malnutrition, remains a critical global health issue affecting 165 million children under the age of five, with 10.6 million associated deaths. Its stunting prevalence is particularly pronounced in developing nations, notably Sub-Saharan Africa. Chronic protein-energy malnutrition, identified as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in displaced settings, underscores the urgency of understanding its impact in such contexts.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of stunting among children aged 12-59 months and residing in IDP camps in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hargeisa from May 5 to July 30, 2022, utilizing systematic random sampling, online mobile surveys, and caregiver interviews with anthropometric measurements. The SPSS version 25 was utilized in handled data entry, processing and analysis. Multivariable logistic regression, with p < 0.05 significance, included variables from bivariate analysis (p < 0.2). Stunting assessment utilized WHO AnthroPlus software, categorizing HAZ scores < -2.0 SD.

Results: The prevalence of stunting among children living in IDP camps was found to be 21.1% [95% CI: 17.0-24.91%]. Vaccination status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.09-0.38), deworming practice (aOR = 6.5, 95% CI: 2.91-14.52), place of delivery (aOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.07-0.30), measles experience in the last year (aOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04-0.34), ANC visits (aOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14-0.81), and maternal insufficient extra food intake (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.11-4.15) were significantly associated with stunting.

Conclusion: The observed stunting prevalence in IDP camps (21.1%) was substantial, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Future efforts should aim to reduce stunting from the current rate to an estimated 5-10%, emphasizing comprehensive measures such as deworming, maternal nutrition, postnatal care improvement, robust immunization, and promoting healthcare facility deliveries.

Keywords: IDP; Somaliland; stunting.

Grants and funding

This study did not receive any funding.