Magnitude and factors associated with Severe acute malnutrition in children 6–59 months of age in Burao General Hospital

Abstract Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a life-threatening situation characterized by severe wasting (low weight-for-height) or the presence of nutritional edema due to insufficient consumption of nutrients. WHO standards define SAM as either: 1) no edematous with a weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) below 3 standard deviation (SD) or a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of less than 115 mm; 2) edematous SAM with the presence of bilateral pitting edema, a condition of fluid retention linked to early childhood malnutrition or 3) mixed phenotype with the presence of both wasting and edema. Objectives: To assess magnitude and associated factors of severe acute malnutrition among under-five children in Hassan Kayd MCH. Method and material: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was used. Study was conducted in Burao General Hospital. Sampling The Systemic sampling method was used to select the study. Our sample size was 135 participants. Additionally, data was analyzed and interpreted by using statistical tools like 20, table frequency, and percentage. Result: The Magnitude of Severe Acute Malnutrition among Under-Five Children was 18.5%, while 81.5% was not SAM. Family monthly income with a p-value 0.049, initiation of breastfeeding with a p-value of 0.012, timely complementary feeding starts with a p-value of 0.027, and frequency of taking vegetables and fruits to the children with a p-value of 0.032 was statistically significant SAM among under-five children. Conclusion: The magnitude of SAM was higher compared to other studies. Family monthly income, initiation of breastfeeding, timely complementary feeding starts, and frequency of taking vegetables and fruits to the children were significantly associated with SAM among under-five children. Recommendation: Nutritional status screening, increasing the income of the community, early initiation of breastfeeding, adequate and diversity of complementary feeding, and further study were strongly recommended. Keywords: Magnitude, Associated factors, severe acute malnutrition, under-five children, Hassan Kayd MCH.