Food security status in rural areas of Chókwè district

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Food security (FS) is achieved when all people have access, by socially acceptable means, to the consumption of food in sufficient quantity and adequate quality, and can lead a productive and healthy life. In Mozambique, food insecurity is still a problem that concerns the central government and civil society. This study aimed to describe the status of FS in rural areas of Chókwè district and was carried out through a cross-sectional study based on a dietary survey with a population sample of 217 households (AFs), and assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA) and categorised into 4 levels: security; mild insecurity, moderate insecurity and severe insecurity. The data was analysed using SPSS version 21 statistical software, with 95% confidence intervals. 22.2% of the AFs was living in a situation of mild food insecurity (IAL) and moderate food insecurity (IAM) and 55.6% in severe food insecurity (IAG). More than 70% of AFs ran out of food before they could buy more, 53.8% experienced going periods of the day or the whole day without food, 59.8% were in the situation where the adult skipped a meal, 47% experienced the situation where the child went a whole day without eating and 51.3% lost weight due to lack of food. As a survival strategy among both adults and young people, 67.5% had to reduce the amount of food consumed. The rural areas of Chókwè district are in a situation of food insecurity segmented into IAG, IAM and IAL.