Cryptosporidiosis burden among children younger than 5 years with diarrhea attending Banadir hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia

Background Diarrheal diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age, particularly in low-resource settings. Cryptosporidium infection is an important contributor to pediatric diarrhea, yet no published data exist on its burden among children under five years of age in Somalia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among children with diarrhea attending Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, and to assess its association with sociodemographic, exposure, and clinical factors. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 children under five years of age presenting with diarrhea. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires. Stool samples were obtained and examined for Cryptosporidium spp. using standard laboratory diagnostic procedures. Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations between infection status and potential risk factors, with odds ratios and significance testing applied where appropriate. Results Cryptosporidium infection was detected in 65 of 315 children (20.6%) presenting with diarrhea. Abdominal swelling was significantly associated with infection (p=0.003). Children who had never been breastfed were significantly more likely to be infected, with 4.47-fold increased odds compared with children who had ever been breastfed. Sociodemographic variables, including age, sex, and parental education level, were not significantly associated with infection. Conclusions Cryptosporidiosis represents an important contributor to diarrheal illness among children under five years of age in Mogadishu. Routine screening for Cryptosporidium infection in diarrheal cases and promotion of breastfeeding may help identify cases and reduce infection risk. Further research is needed to better understand transmission patterns and the broader health impacts of cryptosporidiosis in this population.