Household Food Security, Nutrition and Wash Practices among Vegetable Producers in Dugda Woreda Oromia Region, Ethiopia: A Comparative Study
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Date
2021-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main objective of this research was to assess the household food security, nutritional KAP
and WASH practices in Dugda woreda, East Showa zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Both
qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. Data was gathered from both
primary and secondary sources. The survey questions were collected from 147 vegetable
producers and an equal proportion of non-producers to evaluate the positive impacts of
vegetable production on household food security status, nutritional and WASH practices. The
result showed that the majority (61.2%) of vegetable producing households were food secure.
Among the vegetable non-producers, only 15.6% of the households were food secure. The rest
were either mildly (42.2%), moderately (25.2%) or severely (7%) food insecure. Fruit and
vegetable crops generated more income to farmers than did traditional staple crops. About 49%
of vegetable producing households get a monthly income of ETB 3000 or higher, whereas only
2.7% of vegetable non-producers get ETB 2001- 3000 per month. Less income leads to less
purchasing power. Both vegetable producers (69.2%) and non-producers (76.7%) had good
knowledge concerning appropriate household nutritional issues, though additional education on
nutrition was needed. They understood the importance of feeding complementary foods to their
children at six months of age in addition to breastfeeding. But they had poor practice and
knowledge on feeding children with diversified diet. Appropriate nutritional practice was noted
in 71.6% and 38.9% of vegetable producers and non-producers, respectively. Almost all
respondents (86.4%) in both groups supposed that feeding children several times each day was
difficult. Caregivers and mothers, thus, fed their children with less frequency and diet diversity.
About 96% and 37% of vegetable producer and non-producer respondents, respectively, used
piped water and appropriate practice on water sanitation was observed in 60.2% and 43.6% of
vegetable producer and non-producer respondents, respectively. About 74.8% of vegetable
producers and 50% of non-producers had good knowledge on critical time to wash hands.
However, there were inappropriate practices in hand washing.
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Keywords
Household Food Security