In an attempt to design an educational programme targeting caregivers of children aged 6 to 59 months in internally displaced persons camps in Somalia, the objective of this study was twofold. First, to explore the nutritional situation of all children aged 6–59 months enrolled in a nutrition programme provided by Save the Children in 2017 in internally displaced persons camps. Second, to identify gaps in the caregivers’ hygiene and feeding practices. In a study of 1655 households, 1655 caregivers for 2370 children aged 6 to 59 months enrolled in a nutrition programme provided by Save the Children answered an adapted questionnaire on hygiene and feeding practices. At the same time, based on standard criteria in the questionnaire, naturalistic observations of caregivers’ hygiene practices were conducted. Every child in the study was measured with anthropometric Mid-Upper-Arm Circumference measurements for the classification of Moderate Acute Malnutrition, Severe Acute Malnutrition and Global Acute Malnutrition. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. 1) There was Severe (12.1%) and Global Acute (19.9%) Malnutrition among children included in the nutrition programme, more frequently in the 6–24 month age group compared to the 25–59 month age group (p < 0.01). 2). The practices in the households were below what could generally be considered hygienic. 3) There was poor caregivers’ knowledge of breastfeeding benefits and complementary foods. Child malnutrition might derive from gaps in the caregiver’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hygiene and infant feeding. An awareness of these gaps can be helpful in designing future educational programmes that target caregivers, particularly in at-risk population groups.

中文翻译：

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索马里境内流离失所者营地的婴幼儿营养状况及其看护人的喂养知识和卫生习惯

为了设计一个针对索马里境内流离失所者营地中 6 至 59 个月儿童看护人的教育计划，这项研究的目的是双重的。首先，调查 2017 年参加救助儿童会在境内流离失所者营地提供的营养计划的所有 6 至 59 个月儿童的营养状况。其次，找出护理人员的卫生和喂养习惯方面的差距。在一项针对 1655 个家庭的研究中，参与了救助儿童会提供的营养计划的 2370 名 6 至 59 个月的儿童的 1655 名看护人回答了一份关于卫生和喂养习惯的改编问卷。同时，根据问卷中的标准标准，对护理人员的卫生习惯进行自然观察。研究中的每个孩子都使用人体测量的中上臂围测量值来分类中度急性营养不良、严重急性营养不良和全球急性营养不良。描述性统计用于分析。1) 营养计划中纳入的儿童存在严重（12.1%）和全球急性（19.9%）营养不良，与 25-59 个月年龄组相比，6-24 个月年龄组更常见（p < 0.01）。2）。家庭中的做法低于通常被认为是卫生的水平。3) 看护者对母乳喂养的好处和补充食品的了解不足。儿童营养不良可能源于看护人在卫生和婴儿喂养方面的知识、态度和实践方面的差距。