Prevalence and determinants of disability among the adult population aged 18+ years in Somalia evidence from the 2022 Somali Integrated Households Budget Survey

BackgroundNotwithstanding disability being a critical public health and social issue in Somalia, available evidence on its magnitude and associated factors remains scarce. Therefore, this study seeks to assess the prevalence of disability and identify its determinants among the adult population aged 18 years and above in Somalia.MethodA cross-sectional study approach was employed to measure the prevalence of disability and evaluate associated factors. The analysis utilised data from the Somali Integrated Household Budget Survey 2022, with a total sample of 19,832 adult population. A multivariable logit model was applied to evaluate factors influencing disability status. Associations were quantified using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and statistical significance was determined at a p-value threshold of < 0.05.FindingsThis study found that the overall prevalence of the adult population in Somalia was 11.95% 0.114–0.126. Women’s disability was marginally higher at 13.29% compared to men’s at 10.36%. Disability was significantly associated with age, sex, education, household size, working status, smoking, residence, and region (p < 0.05). Odds increased with age, reaching a peak among older adults at ≥61 years (AOR = 10.700, 95% CI 7.700, 14.860). Females had higher odds (AOR = 1.440, 95% CI 1.180, 1.750). Education was protective, higher education (AOR = 0.450, 95% CI 0.330, 0.630). Non-smokers (AOR = 0.300, 95% CI 0.220, 0.400) and rural residents (AOR = 0.680, 95% CI 0.550, 0.850) had lower odds, with notable regional disparities.ConclusionDisabilities related to seeing and walking or climbing were the most prevalent in the population. In this regard, efforts should focus on strengthening disability legal frameworks, expanding community screening and mobile health services, implementing gender-responsive and inclusive education programmes, providing targeted social assistance to vulnerable households, and promoting integrated disability care and advancing evidence through multi-survey and comparative research.