Assessment of Household Food Security and Nutritional Status of Women in the Context of High Food Price in Addis Ababa
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Date
2012-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Since recently, the world’s economic crisis, mainly the high food price is increasing
the number of poor people and aggravating their living conditions. In big urban areas of Ethiopia
like Addis Ababa where populations rely on market based household food supply, increasing price
of food and nonfood commodities can threaten households’ food security status. In many societies,
women bear the brunt of the food price crisis. Thus, it is crucial to generate evidence about the food
security of urban households and women’s nutritional status during time of high food price.
Objective: To assess households’ food security status and nutritional status of women in the context
of high food price in Addis Ababa City
Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative
methods was conducted from January 18 to Feburary14, 2012. A total of 550 households were
selected from three sub-cities of Addis Ababa using multi stage sampling technique. Food security
status was assessed using Household Food Insecurity Access Score, and weight and height were also
measured using standardized weight measuring scale and height measuring board. Data were
collected using questionnaire based interview with household heads. Qualitative method using focus
group discussion was employed to explore the possible effect of food price on household food
security, and people’s perception about food security.
Result: This study found that 75% of households were generally food insecure and 23 % were
already in hunger state. Reduction in meal size and shifting to poor quality/less expensive food
types/ were common coping strategies to high food price used by households. Household income
and educational status of household head were significant determinants of food security. Households
with higher food insecurity score have lower dietary diversity and are less likely to consume high
quality diets. About 12.7% of women in the sample were underweight while 26% were overweight
or obese. Being overweight was significantly associated with better dietary diversity of households.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The study revealed that about three fourth of households were
food insecure which forced them to reduce their meal size and quality with nearly a quarter of
households were suffered from hunger. Household food insecurity was common among the low
income households and those headed by uneducated, daily wagers and government employed
household heads. Beside subsidization of food items at affordable manner, policy makers should
work on stabilization of food market, and create opportunities and capacities for households to
increase their per capita income
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Keywords
Food Security, Nutritional Status