Prevalence of food insecurity in Egor local government area of Edo State, Nigeria

Ann Afr Med. 2012 Jul-Sep;11(3):139-45. doi: 10.4103/1596-3519.96862.

Abstract

Background: Food security is access at all times to adequate, safe and nutritious food for healthy and active life. In recent times food insecurity has been a global concern particularly in developing countries.

Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out among households selected by multi-stage sampling method in Egor Local Government Area. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) for measurement of food access was used to assess the household food security situation.

Results: A total of 416 households were studied. The prevalence of food insecurity was 61.8%. Food insecurity was higher among households with younger heads (P = 0.159), female headed households (P = 0.114) and those with larger households (P = 0.228). Lower education status (P = 0.001) and lower household income (P = 0.001) were the significant factors affecting food insecurity.

Conclusion: This study has revealed a very high level of food insecurity among these urban households. An urgent call to all stakeholders for strategies to improve this trend is needed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Food Supply* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Hunger*
  • Local Government
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sex Distribution
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Starvation / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population