Dietary diversity and associated factors among households and children in internally displaced person camps in Southern Somalia: A cross-sectional study

The study aimed to assess household and child dietary diversity in Southern Somalia by identifying determinants of adequate dietary diversity in three internally displaced person (IDP) camps in Baidoa, Dayniile and Dharkanley. A total of 1655 female main caregivers with 2370 children (6-59 months old) were included. Data on household dietary diversity score and child dietary diversity score indicators were collected from all households. The questionnaire was read face-to-face to the female main caregivers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with adequate dietary diversity, which was defined as the consumption of at least four food groups within 24 h before the survey. The proportion of households achieving adequate HDDS was high in all locations 95.8%, 96.9% and 89.0% in Baidoa, Dharkanley and Dayniile, respectively, and the total adequate household dietary diversity score (AHDDS) was 95.6%. The proportion of adequate child dietary diversity score (ACDDS) was achieved in 63.5%, 8.5% and 38.3%. The main factors associated with AHDDS were larger household size, greater wealth, attendance of antenatal care (ANC) and joint decision-making between husband and wife, while factors associated with ACDDS included ANC attendance, age, the consumption of ready-to-use therapeutic food and deworming tablets. These findings can guide future programmes and policies aimed at improving maternal and child nutrition in IDP camps in Somalia. By tackling these diverse factors, a promising pathway emerges to enhance the nutritional welfare of both households and children in IDP camps. The study examined dietary diversity in three Somali internally displaced person (IDP) camps, involving 1655 women and 2370 children. It was found that most households had diverse diets, but children's diets were less varied. Factors like household size, maternal health care and parental decision-making improved dietary variety, highlighting ways to enhance nutrition in IDP settings. image We found a discrepancy between household and child dietary diversity scores in internally displaced person camps in Southern Somalia, while household scores were high, child scores were low. Bridging this gap is crucial for translating varied diets into improved child nutrition outcomes. Larger household size, wealth and joint decision-making between male and female adults in the household impact dietary diversity. Developing targeted nutrition education can promote better nutrition. Given the benefits of antenatal care for both maternal and child dietary diversity, maternal nutrition education during antenatal visits should cover breastfeeding and complementary feeding choices, thus enhancing child nutrition. Timely complementary feeding, ready-to-use therapeutic food use and deworming treatments are also linked to improved dietary diversity. With these insights, policymakers can create comprehensive interventions for early feeding, maternal health and child nutrition.