Child Malnutrition and Anaemia in Conflict-Affected Yemen: A Multi-District Cross-Sectional Study

This project presents a comprehensive community-based study investigating the intersecting drivers of childhood malnutrition and anaemia in ten conflict-affected districts of southern Yemen. Conducted from July to October 2024, this research fills critical evidence gaps by providing district-level epidemiological data from hard-to-reach areas where humanitarian access is severely constrained. Primary Objectives: 1. Determine the prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight, and anaemia among children aged 6-59 months across diverse conflict and ecological settings in Al-Dhalea and Radfan regions 2. Identify key modifiable risk factors (food insecurity, displacement, maternal education, vaccination status, recent illness) associated with adverse nutritional outcomes 3. Analyze synergistic interactions between multiple vulnerabilities and their compounded effects on child health 4. Provide evidence-based recommendations for targeted humanitarian response and health system strengthening Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study employing multistage cluster sampling (n=600 children from 30 clusters across 10 districts) Key Findings: · Alarmingly high prevalence: stunting 35.2%, wasting 17.9%, underweight 24.8%, anaemia 41.3% · Severe food insecurity affected 20.5% of households; 30.0% of children were displaced · Strong independent associations with severe food insecurity (aOR=2.31), displacement (aOR=1.88), low maternal education (aOR=2.05) · Significant synergy between displacement and food insecurity tripled wasting risk (interaction p=0.03) · District-level heterogeneity revealed varying vulnerability patterns requiring tailored interventions Methodological Innovation: · First comprehensive nutritional assessment covering all districts of Al-Dhalea governorate · Advanced spatial analysis using GIS methodologies · Interaction testing and synergy quantification · Ecological zone-specific analysis (highland, midland, lowland) Data Content: · Primary survey data from 600 households (sociodemographic, health, nutritional indicators) · Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, MUAC) · Haemoglobin concentration (HemoCue Hb 301) · Food insecurity assessment (Household Food Insecurity Access Scale) · Health service access and barriers · Vaccination status (documented and recall) · GPS coordinates (anonymized) Significance: This study provides urgently needed evidence to guide humanitarian programming in Yemen and similar conflict settings.The findings reveal a "syndemic" of intersecting vulnerabilities requiring integrated multi-sectoral responses rather than siloed interventions. The data support targeted resource allocation to highest-burden districts and populations, particularly displaced and food-insecure households.