Household food security status of rural mothers and nutritional status of their children under five years old in Ibadan, Nigeria

BackgroundThe issue of food security in the rural regions of sub-Saharan Africa is of paramount importance, as it has a profound impact on malnutrition rates among children.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the household food security status of rural women food producers and the nutritional status of their under-five year old children in Ibadan, Nigeria.MethodsFor this analytical cross-sectional study among 217 mother-child pairs in the rural communities of Ibadan, interviewer-administered questionnaires were administered to obtained information on household, socio-demographic characteristics of mothers and the characteristics of their under-five children. Household food security was assessed using a USDA 18-point scale and categorized as food secure (≤ 2), food insecure without hunger (>2-7), food insecure with moderate hunger (8-12), and food insecure with severe hunger (>12). Child anthropometry was measured and expressed as stunting (height-for-age), wasting (weight-for-height), and underweight (weight-for-age) using Essential Nutrition Action software. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s Exact Test, and Spearman correlation coefficient correlation at p≤ 0.05.ResultsAges of mothers and under-five children were 32.3±6.2 years and 35.3±14.1 months respectively. Household size was 6.3±1.7 and 62.2% had no formal education. The household food security mean score was 8.2±3.4; 88.5% were food insecure, 25.3% without hunger, 56.2% with moderate hunger and 7.0% with severe hunger. The totals of moderate or severe underweight, stunting and wasting in children were 30.4%, 40.5%, and 7.8% respectively. Food insecurity was significantly associated with children underweight (p=0.010). Mother’s education (p=0.000), father’s education (P=0.012), and household size (P=0.008) demonstrated significant associations with household food insecurity.ConclusionsFood insecurity was prevalent in the study population. Provision of infrastructure that can stimulate a good business environment such as electricity, water, good roads, and accessible markets should be made available by all tiers of governments to enhance diversification of means of livelihood to alleviate poverty among the rural households.