Household food insecurity among lactating mothers in pastoralist communities of Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia

Background Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly pastoralist communities, experiences high levels of household food insecurity. Household food insecurity adversely affects both short- and long-term health and nutritional outcomes of mothers and their children. However, despite a growing body of research, evidence on food insecurity in Ethiopia remains limited among pastoralist populations. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of household food insecurity among lactating mothers in pastoralist communities of Jigjiga town, Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, from 20 July to 03 September 2024. Methods A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 458 randomly selected households with lactating mothers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face to face interviews. Household food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with household food insecurity. All relevant statistical assumptions were tested. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The strength of associations was reported using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Of the 439 lactating mothers, 305 (69.4%; 95% CI 65.8–74.9) households were food insecure. The mean HFIAS score was 20.82 (SD = 4.0). Poor (AOR = 2.63; 95% CI 1.68–4.12) and medium (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.27–3.39) household wealth index, consumption of fewer than three meals per day (AOR = 1.63; 95% CI 1.21–3.75), and poor dietary diversity (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.22–2.68) were associated with higher odds of household food insecurity. In contrast, maternal age of 25–34 years (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI 0.13–0.50) and attainment of secondary education (AOR = 0.41; 95% CI 0.19–0.89) or college level and above education (AOR = 0.29; 95% CI 0.14–0.60) were associated with lower odds of household food insecurity. Conclusion Nearly two-third of households with lactating mothers experienced food insecurity. Maternal age, educational attainment, household wealth status, meal frequency, and dietary diversity were key predictors. Targeted multisectoral interventions aimed at improving maternal education, household economic status, and dietary diversity may help reduce household food insecurity in Ethiopia’s pastoralist settings Furthermore, integration of food security screening into the existing maternal and child health service may be important to early diagnostic and take action.