Prevalence, regional disparities and associated factors of vitamin A-rich food consumption among children 6–24 months in Somaliland: Evidence from a National Survey

Background Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly Vitamin A deficiency (VAD), pose a significant public health challenge in developing nations, contributing to increased child morbidity and mortality. While the importance of Vitamin A for immune function and development is well-established, specific data regarding the dietary intake of this micronutrient among young children in Somaliland remains limited. Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence, regional disparities, and factors associated with the consumption of vitamin A-rich foods among children aged 6–24 months in Somaliland. Methods A secondary analysis consisted of 1,086 children was conducted using data from the 2020 Somaliland Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative community-based cross-sectional study. The outcome variable was the consumption of vitamin A-rich foods in the 24 hours preceding the survey. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of consumption using Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results The overall prevalence of vitamin A-rich food consumption was 56.45% (95% CI: 53.47–59.37). Fresh milk was the most common source (48.07%), while consumption of fruits and vegetables was low. Significant regional variations were observed; the Sahil region had the highest consumption (73.24%), while the Sanaag region had the lowest (49.48%). Multivariable analysis indicated that children from middle (AOR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.38–0.93) and rich (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.36–0.71) wealth quintiles were significantly less likely to consume vitamin A-rich foods compared to those from poor households. Conversely, maternal exposure to mass media was a strong positive predictor (AOR = 5.04; 95% CI: 1.55–16.43). Conclusion Vitamin A-rich food consumption among children in Somaliland is suboptimal and varies significantly by region. The findings reveal a paradox where higher household wealth correlates with lower consumption, while media exposure significantly improves intake.