Ethiopian Children Missing Out on Nutrition Treatment Program: A Simple Spatial Survey Method (S3M II)

Background Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a critical public health issue, particularly in developing regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where it significantly contributes to child mortality. In Ethiopia, SAM continues to affect a substantial proportion of children under five, with persistent challenges in treatment coverage, especially in rural areas. We aimed to evaluate the coverage of SAM treatment and the availability of nutrition interventions using the Simple Spatial Survey Method (S3M II) while identifying the challenges encountered in accessing treatment. Methods The study was conducted in rural Ethiopia, specifically in Babile Woreda, East Hararghe Zone, using a community-based S3M II design. Data collection took place in October 2023 A total of 5,023 households were surveyed, reaching 7,203 children aged 6–59 months from Vv enumeration area. The survey assessed socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional status, challenges in treatment, and participation in nutrition programs. The data was analyzed using STATA Software. Results The prevalence of SAM among the surveyed children was about 1.6%, with 67% not enrolled in any nutritional program. Additionally, about 4.6% of children were identified with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), with 78% not receiving any program interventions. Key barriers to program participation included lack of awareness about available treatments (25%) and stock unavailability (22.4%)at health facilities. During the assessment, we found few number of households (3.2%) having a health card provided by health facilities, and also a small percentage of children(2.7%) had their Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measured within the previous month from the month of assessment. Conclusions This study highlights significant gaps in the coverage of SAM treatment and the critical need for improved implementation of programs in Ethiopia. The findings also underscore the importance of monitoring the effectiveness of existing program interventions.