Malnutrition in Somalia
The health impact framework is an array of processes that focus on developing effective intervention strategies to improve a societal health assessment problem. The technique provides the ability to identify, measure, and compare a health problem and systems between different states and countries to develop better implementation methods, decision-making, and health policies, identify healthcare gaps, and improve public health. The basic principles of the health intervention framework include accessibility, health promotion, and cooperation between the main healthcare stakeholders, including the government. Primary healthcare components comprise proper nutrition, immunization, maternal health care, disease control, public education, clean water, and sanitization. Health education refers to the health impact framework as a public health strategy. Public Health focuses on preventing the spread of infections and prolonging and promoting healthy life through organized efforts. This research will explore the malnutrition issue among the population of Somalia and develop a health impact framework to address the key issues.
Malnutrition is a prevalent health factor affecting the global community. However, severe malnutrition is a common health issue causing many deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malnutrition is a health condition that develops when an individual dietary intake is deprived or has an excess type of specific nutrients. The lack of proper nutrition is caused by not having enough to eat, not eating the correct balanced diet, and when the body does not absorb all the nutrients from the food intake.
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa, characterized as both arid and semi-arid. The climate condition of the country is described as a hot climate that receives uneven annual rainfall. The harsh climatic conditions mean that more than 40% of the Somalis will face a food crisis in 2022 (Kebede & Aynalem). The country has been described as a failed state due to the long civil war, poverty, and disease, and it relies intensely on aid from other countries. The World Food Program (WFP) reports that more than five million people in Somalia suffer from malnutrition. Thus, it is crucial to create a health impact framework that will help generate long- and short-term interventions to address the issue of the prevalent malnutrition health problem in Somalia.
The health impact pyramid is a graphical illustration representing the different intervention strategies that address public health issues. Dr. Thomas Frieden developed the pyramid. It is divided into five tiers that illustrate the various health interventions that aim to improve the public health issue, in this case, malnutrition in Somalia. Health interventions located at the base of the pyramid represent the interventions that are likely to yield the most significant impact. At the top of the pyramid, the interventions are tailored to focus on individual needs and yield great potential at an individualized level.
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At the bottom of the Frieden health impact pyramid are the socioeconomic factors like poverty that are the main determinant of malnutrition in Somalia. Somalia is a developing country that has been engulfed with civil war and harsh climatic conditions. This has exposed the population to be highly vulnerable to low socioeconomic status causing the food crisis (Kinyoki et al.). Low economic development in the country affects the nation’s ability to offer clean water and sanitation, causing increased exposure to environmental vulnerabilities. Somalia is a country that is characterized by low literacy levels, especially among women, high poverty levels, and the families are large. These are the underlying conditions that result in the poor nutrition status of the country. Social, economic and political transformation is necessary to achieve a healthy nutrition status in the country. Improving the country's socio-economic condition helps reduce malnutrition risk factors, like improved sanitation and access to clean and safe drinking water (UNICEF). An increase in household income enables the family to buy a balanced diet. High literacy levels, especially among women, will help improve household conditions since they will understand the importance of family planning and raising a small number of children they can effectively take care of.
Culture and beliefs largely influence the eating behaviors of people. Culture is the people's way of living and influences the type of food people plant or keep. Somalia is a country categorized as arid and semi-arid. Therefore, pastoralism and trade is the main economic activity in the country. Additionally, people are generally resistant to introducing new foods since they are used to specific types of food. In Somalia, diet consumption is categorized as an energy diet since most people rely on maize, sorghum, pasta, meat, and rice. Food consumption is based on accessibility and affordability. Food is more than what is consumed since it is influenced by the people's way of living, attitude, food practices that have been inherited, religion, and taboos. Addressing culture and beliefs will impact the health impact framework of managing the malnutrition crisis in Somalia.
Culture and beliefs largely influence the eating behaviors of people. Culture is the people's way of living and influences the type of food people plant or keep. Somalia is a country categorized as arid and semi-arid. Therefore, pastoralism and trade is the main economic activity in the country. Additionally, people are generally resistant to introducing new foods since they are used to specific types of food. In Somalia, diet consumption is categorized as an energy diet since most people rely on maize, sorghum, pasta, meat, and rice. Food consumption is based on accessibility and affordability. Food is more than what is consumed since it is influenced by the people's way of living, attitude, food practices that have been inherited, religion, and taboos. Addressing culture and beliefs will impact the health impact framework of managing the malnutrition crisis in Somalia.