FOOD INSECURITY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG URBAN HOUSEHOLDS OF DIRE DAWA, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Besides the underlying vulnerabilities due to chronic poverty, the recent year climate variability including El Niño events also pose additional burden on Ethiopia urban households’ food security status. However, there is little empirical evidence on the urban food security condition in setting where food markets have failed to meet with the needs of the urban segment- a population who overlooked in assistance programs as well as by researchers focus. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among urban households of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Methods and materials: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 15 to 30 2016. Household heads were recruited using a multi stage random sampling technique. Data were collected from 796 household heads using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression was fitted and adjusted odds ratios along with 95% confidence intervals were estimated to identify factors associated with outcome variable. Level of statistical significance was declared at p-value less than 0.05. Result: The prevalence of household food insecurity was 61.8 % [95% CI: (58.43%-65.19%)], with 10.9%, 35.8% and 15.1% households were being mildly, moderately and severely food insecure respectively.The mean (±SD) dietary diversity score of households was 6.3 (±2). Household monthly income being ≤ 2000 ETB[(AOR = 8.52, 95% CI:( 3.74, 19.38)], having primary and secondary education level [(AOR = 2.51, 95% CI: (1.29, 4.87)], unemployment [(AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: (1.34, 13.17)], family size being ≥5 [(AOR = 12.19, 95% CI: (5.58, 26.63)], living in self rental house [(AOR = 4.82, 95% CI: (2.54, 9.15)] and khat chewing [(AOR = 3.84, 95% CI:(2.11, 6.98)] were the factors significantly associated with food insecurity.Household head age being ≥45 years [(AOR = 0.5, 95% CI: (0.26, 0.94)] and household monthly income being ≥4000 ETB [(AOR = 0.006, 95% CI: (0.002, 0.015)] were the factors associated with less odds of being food insecure. Conclusion and recommendation: In setting of El Niño events, this study demonstrated a high prevalence of urban food insecurity due to limited socio-economic status and behavioral constraints. Hence, Area specific income generating activities, scale up of housing program, promotion of family planning and awareness rising programs to curb the habit of khat chewing are essential measures to reduce food insecurity and enhance resilience in urban areas