Somali Knowledge Attitude Practices Study (KAPS) - EthnoMed

2.1.2 Health and Nutrition Situation of Children in SCZ
The rates of child mortality have been among the highest in the world 1 . Whereas the baseline
under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) for sub-Saharan Africa is about 1.03 deaths/10,000 U5s/day 2 , in
Southern and Central Somalia zones, the U5MR has remained above 2 deaths/10,000 U5s/day,
particularly in the southern parts (Gedo and Juba regions) 3 of the zone. These mortality rates are
unacceptably high as per Sphere Standards where U5MRs should be maintained at below
2.0/10,000 U5s/day. 4
Analysis of trends in nutritional status in the past three years also indicate that Global Acute
Malnutrition (GAM) rates have been above 15% in all livelihood zones of South and Central
Somalia throughout the years. 5 These rates are unacceptably high and indicate a serious situation
according to both WHO and RNIS benchmarks.
The observed deterioration in health and nutrition situation of children over the years in South
and Central Somalia zones has been mainly attributed to the complex socio-political and natural
environment of frequent conflicts, causing population displacements and loss of assets; poor
knowledge in health and feeding practices; inappropriate traditional beliefs and poor hygiene and
sanitation with inadequate safe water supply. The recurrent drought and floods in the recent past
have further led to reduced food production and poor animal health conditions. According to
seasonal food security assessment reports by FSAU 6 , significant proportion of the populations in
rural Southern Somalia, particularly Gedo, Juba and parts of Bay, Bakool and Hiran have been
within the Humanitarian Emergency and Acute Food and Livelihood Crisis phases of the
Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification (IPC), and in need of
humanitarian assistance and livelihood support over the course of recent years.
The most commonly reported childhood illnesses in South and Central Somalia are diarrhoea,
acute respiratory infections (ARI), skin infections, intestinal worms, malnutrition, malaria,
measles, whooping cough, tonsillitis, eye infection and anaemia, with the major ones being
diarrhoea, ARI, malaria and measles.
Source: FSAU Nutrition Data Base, 2007.
Both modern and traditional medicines are widely used in the management of illnesses in the
region. Most illnesses are traditionally associated with spirits and “Evil Eyes”. Modalities used to
treat illnesses normally include fire-burning, herbal remedies, casting and prayer. Illnesses like
headache, fever, dizziness and weakness are believed to be caused by spirits. Treatment therefore
involves reading the Koran, eating special food and burning incense (myrrh). 7
Immunization coverage for all the vaccines is notably low, except for polio. The polio
immunization coverage is generally high due to the national immunization days as well as doorto-door
campaigns which are regularly conducted in all places.
1
UNDP. 2006. Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Report. UNP.
2
The Sphere Project. 2004. Humanitarian Charter for Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.
3
FSAU Technical Series Reports No Volumes 9-13
4
The Sphere Project. 2004. Humanitarian Charter for Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.
5
FSAU Nutrition Data Base 2007.
6
FSAU Technical Series Reports on Seasonal Food Security Assessments.
7
Toby Lewis (1996) Somali Cultural Profile http://ethnomed.org/ethnomed/cultures/somali/somali_cp.html
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