Food Insecurity, Diet Quality and Associated Factors among Mothers and Children in Rural North-East Ghana
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Introduction
Food insecurity, poor diet quality, and malnutrition remain major public health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite high nutritional vulnerability in North-East Ghana, limited research has comprehensively examined relationships between food insecurity, diet quality, and maternal-child nutrition outcomes. This study addresses critical gaps by providing an integrated analysis of these factors among mother-child dyads in rural North-East Ghana.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 248 households in East Mamprusi Municipality [June–July 2023]. Food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale [HFIAS] and diet quality using the Diet Quality Questionnaire [DQQ]. Data were analysed using chi-square, Spearman’s correlation, and Mann–Whitney U tests to identify determinants of dietary diversity.
Results
Most households [81.5%] were food insecure. Health insurance coverage [χ² = 4.31, p = 0.038] and partner occupation [χ² = 13.09, p = 0.023] were key correlates of food security. Women’s dietary diversity was moderate [mean score = 4.45], with 29.8% consuming all five essential food groups. Vegetable consumption [76.2%] exceeded fruit intake [46.0%]. Among children, 97.2% were breastfed; however, only 44.4% met the minimum dietary diversity, and 27.2% met the minimum acceptable diet. Monthly food expenditure showed the strongest association with maternal [r = -0.44, p < 0.001] and child [r = -0.397, p < 0.001] dietary diversity. Polygamous households had poorer dietary outcomes for both mothers [p = 0.007] and children [p = 0.003]. Food insecurity was negatively correlated with maternal haemoglobin [ρ = -0.283, p < 0.001], child height-for-age [ρ = -0.166, p = 0.009], and weight-for-height [ρ = -0.158, p = 0.013].
Conclusion
Food insecurity and suboptimal diet quality persist in rural Ghana, influenced by factors such as economic status, household structure, and health service coverage. Place-based, co-designed interventions addressing economic empowerment, health coverage, and nutrition empowerment that target emerging unhealthy dietary patterns are vital for improving maternal and child nutrition and health outcomes.
