High Burden of Child Undernutrition and Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6–59 Months in a Peri-urban Setting of Dakar, Senegal

Malnutrition remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries and contributes substantially to child mortality. In Senegal, it accounts for approximately one third of neonatal, infant, and under-five deaths. Although the Dakar region reports comparatively lower prevalence rates than other regions nationwide, undernutrition remains a serious concern in socioeconomically disadvantaged peri-urban communities where poverty, limited health infrastructure, and poor living conditions increase children’s vulnerability. In the municipality of Medina Gounass, located in the health district of Guediawaye in the suburbs of Dakar, structural poverty, high unemployment, and limited access to sanitation services create a particularly challenging environment for child health and nutrition. This study aimed to identify factors associated with wasting, stunting, and underweight among children aged 6–59 months in this vulnerable setting. An observational cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical components was conducted from September 13 to 18, 2025. A total of 226 child-mother/caregiver pairs were included. Anthropometric measurements were collected to assess nutritional status using weight-for-height, height-for-age, and weight-for-age indices based on WHO z-score standards. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with the different forms of undernutrition. Wasting affected 38 children (16.8%), including 7.5% with severe wasting, indicating a very high prevalence according to WHO classification thresholds. It was independently associated with the absence of a household handwashing facility (aOR=6.32; 95% CI: 1.85–21.56). Stunting was observed in 36 children (15.9%), including 4.0% severe cases, and was significantly associated with lack of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life (aOR=4.28; 95% CI: 1.91–9.57). Underweight affected 39 children (17.2%), including 6.6% severe cases, and was independently associated with the absence of a household handwashing facility (aOR=10.33; 95% CI: 2.38–44.86) and lack of exclusive breastfeeding (aOR=3.79; 95% CI: 1.70–8.44). These findings highlight the substantial burden of child undernutrition in this disadvantaged peri-urban setting and underscore the critical role of household hygiene conditions and early infant feeding practices in shaping nutritional outcomes. Strengthening community-based interventions that promote hand hygiene and exclusive breastfeeding may contribute to reducing undernutrition in low-income urban settings.