FOOD INSECURITY ANDNUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHERS IN TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

Food insecurity and malnutrition have become a major concern in Ghana as it strives to achieve a middle income status and the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between food insecurity and the nutritional status of pre school children and their mothers in the Tamale metropolis. An analytical cross-sectional survey was carried out and a two-stage random sampling technique was employed to select the communities and households for the study. A total of 337 households with children with ages ranging from 6-36 months were randomly selected for the study. The data set included information on demographic variables, household food insecurity. coping strategies, height and or length, weight and complete blood count of the children and their respective mothers. The study findings showed that, 39.8% of adults in households consumed quality diet (more diversified diet, 2'15 food groups). About two out of every ten households were reported to be food insecure (20.5%). Prevalence of wasting, underweight, stunting and anemia among children were 13.4% (95% C.l 10.5-16.9),27% (95% C.l 22.3-32.3), 29.8% (95% C.I 24.3-35.8) and 78.9% respectively. Among mothers, prevalence of underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m') and anemia were 7.1% and 43.2% respectively. Prevalence of microcytic hypochromic anaemia among children and their mothers were 68.4% and 35.8% respectively. Wealth index was positively associated (P < 0.001) with household food insecurity. Household food insecurity only showed positive significant association with stunting among cbildren (V-O.03) and BMJ among mother (p'-~O.03)but did not show any significant association with maternal and child anaemia. The significant association between household food insccuruy and childhood stunting highlights the importance of addressing malnutrition through integrated interventions that enhance household food security and socio-economic status.