Comparing level of food insecurity between households with and without home gardening practices in Zege, Amhara region, North West Ethiopia: Community based study.

Abstract

Globally, close to 1 billion people suffer from hunger and food insecurity. Evidence showed that prevalence of household food insecurity in Ethiopia is ranged from 25.5%-75.8%. Home gardening is one way to alleviate food insecurity. Hence, the study aimed to determine level of food insecurity and its associated factors between home gardening and non-home gardening household in Zegie, North west Ethiopia. Community-based study was conducted from February 10th-March 10th/2020. A total of 648 samples were included. First, 2142 total households who have 6-59 months of age children in the area identified and registered. Then, households categorized in to home garden practicing (1433) and non-home garden practicing (709). The calculated sample size, 324 for each group were selected using simple random sampling technique. The overall prevalence of food insecurity was 38.1% (95% CI: 34.29-42.11%). Food insecurity was significantly higher in non-home gardening groups than their counter parts 45.5% (95% CI: 39.80-51.20%). Having primary education and above (AO = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.25-2.86%), wealth index; 2nd quantile (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25-0.85%), 3rd quantile (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17-0.62%) and 4th quantile (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.15-0.54%), dietary diversity (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.15-2.92%) and home garden practices (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.06-2.32%) were variables significantly associated with food insecurity. Food insecurity in non-home garden practicing households is higher than practicing households. The local agriculture sector needs to emphasis and empowered households on home gardening practices to realize food security.