{
  "abstract": "BackgroundConcurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) is a severe form of child undernutrition, linked to higher mortality and long-term negative health outcomes. Malnutrition is a significant challenge in Yemen, where the country is experiencing a long-standing conflict, food insecurity, and socioeconomic deprivation. But there is still limited evidence on the burden and determinants of WaSt in Yemen on a national level. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with WaSt among children under 5 years in Yemen.\n\nMethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis using nationally representative data from the 2022-2023 Yemen Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). A significantly large dataset of 17,734 children aged 0-59 months from all the 22 governorates of Yemen was analyzed. Concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) were defined as the coexistence of a weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) below -2 standard deviations and a height-for-age z-score (HAZ) below -2 standard deviations from the WHO Child Growth Standards in the same child. Survey-weighted logistic regression was performed to analyze the factors associated with WaSt among the under 5 children in Yemen.\n\nResultsThe national prevalence of WaSt was 8.4% (95% CI: 7.6-9.2). The highest prevalence of WaSt was found in children aged 12-23 months (12.0%) and in the Western Coastal region (11.6%). After adjustment, male sex (AOR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.30-1.80), residence in the Western Coastal (AOR 2.00, 95% CI: 1.60-2.40), Eastern (AOR 2.00, 95% CI: 1.50-2.70), and Southern regions (AOR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.20-2.10), poorest household wealth (AOR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.30-2.90), moderate (AOR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.13-1.94) and severe food insecurity (AOR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.40-2.60), and recent diarrhoea (AOR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.02-1.44) were associated with higher odds of WaSt. Having a handwashing facility and improved sanitation were protective.\n\nConclusionAt least 1 in every 12 under-five children in Yemen was affected by WaSt, and there were significant socioeconomic, geographic, food-security and WASH-related factors influencing this devastating outcome. Instead of simple, one-dimensional approaches, multi-sectoral interventions are needed to address this adversity. And those efforts must be integrated into the system, interconnected with each other and specifically targeted to vulnerable children and households.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Ministry of Health & Family Welfare , Bangladesh"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "A. Salman"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Sunzida"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. Kabir"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Das Gupta"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1b6hybnqydes7.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.06.26364923",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.06.26364923v1.full",
  "id": "1b6hybnqydes7",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.06.26364923v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "nutrition"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2916|Child Nutrition and Water Access"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220999427",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.06.26364923v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-06",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1b6hybnqydes7.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:26Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.06.26364923",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.06.26364923v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:nutrition",
      "subfield": "nutrition"
    }
  ],
  "title": "National Prevalence and Determinants of Concurrent Wasting and Stunting among Under-Five Children in Yemen: Evidence from the 2022-2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey",
  "title_text": "National Prevalence and Determinants of Concurrent Wasting and Stunting among Under-Five Children in Yemen: Evidence from the 2022-2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:26Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1b6hybnqydes7",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}