The prevalence of acute malnutrition and its associated factors among institutionalized school-aged orphaned and vulnerable children in Jigjiga town, Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Acute malnutrition (wasting) poses a major threat to a child's life and development, as well as an increased chance of mortality. Orphans are at higher risk of developing malnutrition because of poor food provision and a lack of medical and social care. However, there is a dearth of evidence on the nutritional status of school-age orphans and vulnerable children in our study area.