Risk factors for childhood underweight: A cross-sectional design-based logistic regression analysis

Childhood undernutrition, especially underweight, remains a major public health concern in Yemen, worsened by ongoing conflict and economic hardship. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with underweight among children under five years of age using data from the 2022–2023 Yemen Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which included 19,561 children. Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to analyze the data, accounting for the complex survey design. Initial Chi-square tests were followed by bivariate and multivariable regression models to estimate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (UORs and AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results showed that male children had a higher risk of being underweight (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.21). Children aged 36–47 months were at the greatest risk compared to those aged 0–5 months (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.60–2.20). Household wealth was a strong predictor, with children from the poorest households having nearly four times the odds of being underweight compared to those from the richest households (AOR = 3.80, 95% CI: 3.04–4.74). Maternal education, access to improved water and sanitation, and availability of a hand-washing place were not statistically significant. These findings highlight the importance of addressing child sex, age, and poverty in efforts to reduce undernutrition and promote child health in Yemen’s challenging context.