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Executive Summary
Due to the ongoing conflict, decades of food insecurity and multiple aggravating factors, the nutritional situation in Yemen remains dire. A SMART survey was implemented in Hodeidah lowlands to assess: 1) levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and underweight a month children aged 6-59 months; 2) child morbidity including suspected measles, diarrhoea, fever and acute respiratory infections; ARI); 3) measles and polio vaccination coverage among children; 4) determine food security status of households; 5) income status of household heads; 6) crude and under-five mortality rates; and 7) prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among children under 6 months and complementary feeding among children 6 to 23 months.
In March 2016, a three-staged cross-sectional cluster survey was conducted. The survey methodology replicated the methodology used in August 2015 to ensure comparability. A comparative analysis was conducted between the 2015 survey and 2016 survey to assess whether indicators in Hodeideh were improving or deteriorating. The sample size was calculated to be representative at a Hodeidah lowlands level. The nutritional status of children was analysed using the WHO Child Growth.
In total, data were collected from a total of 549 households. From these households, data was obtained from 82 infants 0-6 months old, and 606 children 6 to 59 months (inclusive of 440 children 6-23 months).
Main findings from this survey, and the comparative analysis with 2015 survey data identified significant decreases for SAM (weight for height z-score: 8.9% to 3.3%) and GAM (31% to 21.7%), severe underweight (21.7% to 15.9%) and total loss of income (P = 0.000). However, significant increases were observed for partial loss of income (P = 0.002).
Overall, these findings will contribute towards shaping existing nutrition programmes in Hodeidah.
Further, findings will be used to advocate for continuation and adequate funding to support nutritional programmes as required.