Ashenafi, Mogessie ProfessorAlemu, Abaya2021-12-092023-11-182021-12-092023-11-182021-11http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/29154The 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.enHousehold Food SecurityThesis