Food Insecurity Nutrition Coping Strategy and Dietary Diversity Among Households in Ido Local Government Ibadan Oyo State Nigeria

Abstract Background Food insecurity remains a critical and global issue affecting several millions of individuals, particularly vulnerable population. Objectives This study aimed at assessing household food insecurity, dietary diversity and coping strategy in selected wards in Ido Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State. Methodology: This study was cross-sectional in design. A total of 150 respondents from each household were selected from the local government. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information. Household food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The coping strategy was assessed using the coping strategy index questionnaire adapted by USAID, WFP. A 24-hour dietary recall was used to obtain the dietary diversity of the mothers. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and presented using descriptive statistics. Results The household demographic characteristics revealed that 64.7% of the respondents were born in Oyo State. Also 53.3% of the respondents were Oyo state indigene. The prevalence of household food insecurity revealed that food secure household constituted (8%), mildly food insecure (8%), moderately food insecure (74%) and severely food insecure (10%). The household with the least severe coping strategy was (10%), intermediate coping strategy was (12%), severe coping strategy (57.3%) and most severe coping strategy was (20%). For the dietary diversity (43.7%) of the household had low dietary diversity while (52.7%) had medium dietary diversity. There were significant differences between age, household food insecurity and dietary diversity (p-value < 0.05), also there was significant difference between education level, household food insecurity and dietary diversity. Furthermore, there was no significant differences between ethnicity, household food insecurity and dietary diversity (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion High prevalence of household food insecurity, low dietary diversity exists among the selected wards in the local government with severe coping strategy. Addressing household food insecurity calls for joint efforts from both government and private sectors.