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Health and disease among Somali primary school children in Hargeisa
Magnus Andreas Nordstrand1, Daniel Stenberg Saxe1, Mohammed Abdirizak Mohammed1
1a Medical Department , Edna Adan University Hospital , Hargeisa , Somaliland.
Insights
A health screening of Somaliland school children found significant rates of malnutrition, poor vision, and dental issues. Public schools offer a viable setting for health interventions in underserved regions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Global Health
Background:
- Limited health data available for school-aged children in Somaliland.
- The School Health Intervention Pilot Program (SHIPP) was initiated to address this gap.
- Edna Adan University Hospital led the program to screen and intervene in children's health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present general health screening results for school children in Somaliland.
- To analyze the association between nutritional status and other health variables.
- To identify key health challenges affecting children's learning and development.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 2,093 children aged 4-19 years from two public primary schools in Hargeisa.
- General health assessment conducted by nursing students.
- Nutritional status evaluated using BMI-for-age z-scores; visual acuity assessed with the Paediatric Snellen Chart.
Main Results:
- 5% of children exhibited very low BMI-for-age (z-score < -3), indicating malnutrition.
- 6% had visual acuity below 0.7, and 26% presented with dental caries.
- Low utilization of health services was reported, with 33% unvaccinated and 46% never visiting a health facility.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of children suffer from malnutrition, impaired vision, and treatable infections, impacting educational outcomes.
- Public schools serve as a practical and effective entry point for implementing public health initiatives in fragile settings.
- Screening, treatment, and referral services in schools can significantly improve child health and learning in resource-limited countries.
Background And Objective:
Limited data exist on health conditions of school children in Somaliland. School Health Intervention Pilot Program (SHIPP) was conducted through Edna Adan University Hospital to screen children and offer interventions. We present the results of the general health screening of the school children, and also describe the association between nutritional status and other variables.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study children from two public primary schools in Hargeisa were assessed for general health by nursing students. Nutritional status was assessed by BMI-for-age z-scores and visual acuity by Paediatric Snellen Chart.
Results:
We screened 2,093 children aged 4-19 years; 58% were boys. Very low BMI-for-age (z-score < -3) was detected in 5%; 6% had visual acuity below 0.7; 26% had dental caries. Children reported low exposure to health services: 33% reported no prior vaccination; 46% reported they had never visited a health clinic or hospital.
Conclusion:
A significant number of children were malnourished, had reduced visual acuity or treatable infections which could impact their ability to learn. Public schools are a feasible entry point for public health action including screening, treatment, and referral in fragile countries.
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