SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALpublic health, epidemiology

cross-sectional·public health, epidemiology, nutrition, dietetics, family medicine·PMC10619797

Household food security access and dietary diversity amidst COVID-19 pandemic in rural Nepal; an evidence from rapid assessment

PLOS ONE · 9 authors, 5 centres

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TL;DR

This cross-sectional study of 432 households in rural Nepal found that 36% experienced food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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This community-based cross-sectional study assessed household food insecurity and dietary diversity among 432 rural households in Lalitpur district, Nepal, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), researchers found that 36% of households reported some food insecurity, with a mean HDDS of 6.0. Conversely, being aged 41–64 years and in a service occupation were associated with lower odds of food insecurity. The study's limitations include its focus on three rural municipalities in one district, precluding broad generalization, and its cross-sectional design, which cannot establish causation.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

public health

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10619797

Household food security access and dietary diversity amidst COVID-19 pandemic in rural Nepal; an evidence from rapid assessment

PLOS ONE

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to surging concerns about food insecurity status throughout the world. In response to global and national concerns on food and nutrition security, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and determining factors of household food insecurity and dietary diversity among people from selected rural municipalities of Lalitpur district, Nepal. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 432 households. Pretested structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, household income; influence of COVID-19 on their income and livelihood, household’s access to food and dietary diversity. Food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). A multivariable analysis was done using binary logistic regression model following a bivariate analysis to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables. Results More than one-third (36%) of the households reported some form of food insecurity. The overall mean score for Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) was 6.0 (±1.1). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that participants aged 41–64 years (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.21–0.59), those over 64 years (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07–0.66), as well as those in service occupation (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06–0.77) were associated with lower odds of HFIAS. Conversely, Participants belonging to a disadvantaged ethnic group (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.23–6.07), having no education (aOR = 3.70, 95% CI: 1.16–11.71) or primary education (aOR = 3.67, 95% CI: 1.23–9.89), and those suffering from chronic illness (aOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.53–6.35) were associated with higher odds of HFIAS. As for HDDS, participants aged 41–64 years (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28–0.83) were associated with lower odds of HDDS, while participants having no education (aOR = 10.05, 95% CI: 4.05–24.01) were associated with significantly higher odds of HDDS. Conclusion Owing to the pandemic, our study showed a substantial prevalence of food insecurity among diverse community residing in rural outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, particularly among disadvantaged ethnic group and people with lower level of education. Interventions targeting these particular groups may help in improving HFIAS and HDDS among them during emergencies.

CITATION EXPORT

Dirghayu K C, Namuna Shrestha, Rachana Shrestha et al.. Household food security access and dietary diversity amidst COVID-19 pandemic in rural Nepal; an evidence from rapid assessment. PLOS ONE. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293514

AUTHORS

9 · 5 CENTRES

Dirghayu K C, Namuna Shrestha, Rachana Shrestha, Dev Ram Sunuwar, Anil Poudyal, Md Nazirul Islam Sarker, George N Chidimbah Munthali, George N Chidimbah Munthali, George N Chidimbah Munthali

1Public Health Promotion and Development Organization, Kathmandu, Nepal
2Public Health and Environment Research Center, (PERC), Kathmandu, Nepal
3Knowledge To Action (K2A), Kathmandu, Nepal
4Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
5Yangtze University, MALAWI