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Item ASSESSMENT PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION AMONG 6—23 MONTHS OLD CHILDREN COMMUNITY BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN MEKONI TOWN SOUTHERN ZONE ,TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA IN 2024.(Mekelle University, 2025-06-25) TSIGE BUZUAYEHU ABEBEBack-ground: Severe Acute malnutrition is a nutritional deficiency resulting from either inadequate energy or protein intake or both .Children with primary severe acute malnutrition is common in developing countries as a result of inadequate food supply caused by social, economic, and environmental factors. Malnutrition remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among 6-23 months children throughout the Worldwide, over 10 million children the 6 23 months age die every year from preventable and treatable illnesses despite effective health interventions. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of severe acute malnutrition among 6-23 months age children in a community based cross-- sectional study design in MEKONI town from April 2024 to June 2024. Methods: A study was conducted in a Community based Cross- sectional study among 6-23 months age children along with their mothers /care givers who live in MEKONI town, Southern Zone TIGRAY. from APRL to June 2024. The study participants was taken from the four KEBELES of selected House Holds from List of H.H registration on the hand of Health Extension Workers in MEKONI town. Study participants was selected after the sample size is proportionally allocated according to the size of 6-23 months age children found in each of the four KEBELES at least for the past 6 months before the survey. data was cleaned and entered Epi info 7 and analyzed using SPSS 27 software. Data was presented by using tables, narration, percent, frequency and graphs. Logistic regression was fitted and odds ratio 95% confidence interval (CI) with p-value less than 0.05 was used to identify factors associated with severe acute malnutrition. Result : The study revealed a 6.4% prevalence of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in a predominantly Tigray-dominated population, with 86.0% of household leaders being male. The majority of participants are single, with 61.6% earning less than 1500 ETB. The majority of children have a MUAC greater than or equal to 125 mm, indicating healthy nutritional status. Children without iron folate supplementation had higher odds of SAM compared to those who did. Conclusion and Recommendations : Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a prevalent issue in children, with factors such as widowed mothers, lack of iron folate supplementation, and absence of colostrum feeding significantly affecting the risk. Children not enrolled in the Outpatient Therapeutic Program are also at higher risk. To reduce SAM, community-based nutrition and viii health education initiatives, regular screening, and ensuring iron folate supplements are provided are recommended. Regular follow-ups and integration into standard maternal care services can also help reduce SAM risk.