Uptake of Vitamin a Supplementation among Children Aged 6-59 Months in Yaqshid District, Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) coverage is a key indicator of children's health and nutrition status. This is primarily because VAS has a direct association with vitamin A deficiency. The WHO has recommended a VAS coverage of 80%; however, the target has never been achieved in third-world and developing countries such as Somalia. This study was generally aimed at establishing the factors influencing compliance of vitamin A uptake in children aged 6 to 59 months in the Yaqshid district in Mogadishu to the World Health Organization recommendation for 80% uptake. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A survey was conducted using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was collected from women with a child aged 6 to 59 months over a period of 3 months. Statistical analysis revealed that the level of vitamin A supplementation among children aged 6 to 59 months in Yaqshid was significantly lower than the WHO recommendation of 80%. Socio-demographic factors that were found to influence adherence to vitamin A supplementation significantly were marital status (OR=2.767, 95%CI of OR=1.444-5.299, p = 0.002), Level of education (OR=5.408, 95%CI of OR=3.127-9.3522, p = 0.000), and Employment status (OR=3.284, 95%CI of OR=2.427-4.442, p = 0.000). Healthcare services related factors that were reported to influence vitamin A supplementation significantly were health staff attitude (p = 0.001), availability of vitamin supplements (p = 0.001), and health education (p = 0.001). Therefore, We recommend the following Tailored Delivery: MOH should adapt Vitamin A services to caregiver realities flexible hours, mobile outreach, and targeted education—to improve uptake and rebuild trust in public facilities. Digital Tracking: Introduce SMS-based child health profiles to guide caregivers with reminders and location-based supplementation alerts, boosting coverage and data visibility. Community Circles: Empower trained mothers to lead monthly peer groups that promote trust, monitor child health, and reduce clinic burden—especially effective in urban slums and IDP areas.