Household food security status and its associated factors in Baft-Kerman, IRAN: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACTFood insecurity is prevalent in both developed and developing countries, which has considerable health impacts on the social, physical, and psychological status. This study aimed to examine the food security status and its related sociodemographic factors among the households living in Baft city of Iran. A sample of 702 households was selected by a simple random sampling method from January to March 2017. Using U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Security questionnaire, 34.3% of households showed some degree of food insecurity. Lower household size (OR = 0.84, CI: 0.73–0.97, P = .02), higher welfare facilities (OR = 1.55, CI: 1.32–1.81, P < .001), educational levels of the mothers and their spouse (being diploma as compared to under-diploma) (OR = 1.57, CI: 0.98–2.53, P = .04 and OR = 1.65, CI: 1.05–2.57, P = .02), governmental employment as compared to unemployment of the spouse (OR = 1.85, CI: 1.14–2.99, P = .01), and house ownership (rent compared to owner house; OR = 0.41, CI: 0.21–0.81, P = .01) were significantly associated with food security. The findings showed food insecurity was associated with some sociodemographic factors among households in Baft. These findings demonstrate that the government needs to continue its efforts to provide appropriate funding for population-based programs and policies, to enhance food security of the people living in this city.