Global Pediatrics · Published 2026-04-01 · DOI 10.1016/j.gpeds.2026.100333
Background: Undernutrition remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries. Approximately 10.5 million children die each year as a result of malnutrition, 98% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, including Somalia. There is a paucity of evidence on childhood undernutrition in the study setting in particular, and in Somalia in general. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess undernutrition and its associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in Garowe district, Puntland, Somalia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 615 children aged 6–59 month. The study population were Children aged 6–59 months from selected five villages. Stratified systemic random sampling technique used to select study participants and villages. The data was collected by 12 qualified health professional using a structured pretested questionnaire. Data was analyzed using STATA version 17. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was done to identify the association between undernutrition and predicting variables. The level of statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results: The overall magnitude of undernutrition in children aged 6–59 months was 32.36% (95% CI: 28.6–36.2%). The prevalence of wasting, stunting, and underweight were 15.4%, 17.2%, and 13.2% respectively. Children aged 37–59 months (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24–0.95), caregivers aged 32–38 years (AOR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.22–0.89), number of under-five child in the house (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.03–3.3), and childhood diarrhea (AOR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34–0.92) showed statistically significant association with undernutrition. Conclusion: In this study one-third of the children had undernutrition. The provision of comprehensive preventive and curative health services for childhood diarrhea is recommended.
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