Prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Associated Factors Among Children at Gacan Libaax MCH, Qardho, Puntland, Somalia

A major national and international public health concern, severe acute malnutrition (SAM), affects millions of children globally, particularly those under five. Understanding the incidence of SAM and its contributing factors in children under five at the Ga'an Libah MCH Center in Qardho was the study's goal. The source population consists of children aged 0-59 months. The study indicated that parents lacked increased awareness of better nutritional outcomes for their children, the importance of breastfeeding, and the recommended breastfeeding rates; additionally, many of these children either missed vaccinations or received incomplete vaccinations. For the primary causes of stunting and wasting, there is no discernible gender difference. As a result, the findings concurred with the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) based on standard clinical indicators such as mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of less than 11.5 cm or the presence of nutritional oedema (swelling). Penultimately, the study at Ga'an Libah MCH Centre in Qardho, Somalia, found an alarming SAM: MUAC < 11.5 cm, MAM: MUAC ≥ 11.5 cm and < 12.5 cm, and MUAC ≥ 12.5 cm, respectively, among children aged 6-59 months. Comprehensive interventions that address both the region's immediate dietary requirements and underlying socioeconomic and environmental causes are desperately needed. Finally, expand SAM and MAM screening and treatment initiatives while ensuring services are easily accessible, and also encourage the best Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.