Exploring risk factors for undernutrition in children aged under five years in Yemen
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Exploring risk factors for undernutrition in children aged under five years in Yemen

Noman Al-Hatemi Assistant professor, Jiblah University for Medical and Health Sciences, Yemen
Ebraheem Al-Nawd Assistant professor, Jiblah University for Medical and Health Sciences, Yemen
Laith Alosoufe Assistant professor, Jerash Private University, Jordan
Haddad Alhebshi Assistant professor, Hadhramout University, Yemen
Nisser Alhroub Assistant professor, Jerash Private University, Jordan
Abdullah Alkhawaldeh Associate professor, Princess Salma Faculty of Nursing, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan
Mohammed Al-Bashtawy Professor, Princess Salma Faculty of Nursing, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan
Yaseen Saeed Undergraduate student, Jiblah University for Medical and Health Sciences, Yemen
Jehan Al-Arag Undergraduate student, Jiblah University for Medical and Health Sciences, Yemen
Hosam Aqeel Undergraduate student, Jiblah University for Medical and Health Sciences, Yemen
Noor Al-qahtani Undergraduate student, Jiblah University for Medical and Health Sciences, Yemen
Ahmed Al-mezgagi Undergraduate student, Jiblah University for Medical and Health Sciences, Yemen
Asem Abdalrahim Assistant professor, Princess Salma Faculty of Nursing, Al al-Bayt University, Jordan

Why you should read this article:
  • To enhance your understanding of undernutrition and its manifestations in children

  • To reflect on risk factors for undernutrition in children in low-income countries affected by armed conflict

  • To increase your awareness of the effects of the conflict in Yemen on young children’s nutritional status

Background Undernutrition is a global health concern, particularly in low-income countries, and can manifest as wasting, stunting and/or underweight. In Yemen, the recent armed conflict is likely to have significantly increased the incidence of undernutrition in young children, particularly those living in communities that were already experiencing socioeconomic and health disparities.

Aim To explore the risk factors associated with wasting, stunting and underweight in children aged between six months and five years living in one district of Yemen.

Method A cross-sectional study was conducted using a two-part questionnaire to collect anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic characteristics of children enrolled on an outpatient programme for undernourished children at three healthcare facilities in the Jiblah district, and of their families and households.

Results Of the 120 children included in the study, 58 (48%) had wasting, 27 (23%) had stunting and 35 (29%) were underweight. Risk factors for undernutrition included being under the age of three years, being a girl, having had a low birthweight, having siblings under the age of five years, having a mother who is a housewife, living in a household relying on unimproved sources of drinking water, living in a rural area, and living in a low-income household.

Conclusion The nutritional status of children in Yemen is under continuing threat. The identification of risk factors for undernutrition may increase awareness of the issue and influence the policy decisions of the international community.

Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2024.e1526

Peer review

This article has been subject to open peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

dr-abd@aabu.edu.jo

Conflict of interest

None declared

Al-Hatemi N, Al-Nawd E, Alosoufe L et al (2024) Exploring risk factors for undernutrition in children aged under five years in Yemen. Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2024.e1526

Published online: 07 October 2024

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