Covid-19 related factors to food security and dietary diversity among urban households in western Oromia, Ethiopia.

This study aims to assess factors associated with food security and dietary diversity among poor urban households of western Oromia, Ethiopia, after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in May to June 2021 with 361 poor urban households in the Horo Guduru Wollega zone, western Oromia, Ethiopia. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Twenty-four hour reminder points were used to assess household dietary diversity, and household food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale tool. Data were evaluated using the statistical software SPSS version 25.0. This study showed a prevalence of food insecurity in households of 59.6%. The mean and standard deviation of household dietary diversity values were 4.19 ± 1.844. Family size (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI:3.295-21.92), monthly income (AOR = 3.52; 95% CI; 1.771-6.986), dietary diversity (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI; 3.92-18.59), knowledge (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.08-)8.347), attitude (AOR = 8.35, 95% CI:3.112-22.39) and practices against Covid-19 (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI:1.299-11.4) were factors significantly associated with food insecurity. Variables like educational status (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI:1.44-8.312), increased family size after the Covid-19 pandemic (AOR = 2.26; 95% CI:1.02-5.04), food security (AOR = 6.7; 95% CI:4.01-19.01), knowledge (AOR = 3.96; 95% CI:1.57-10.0), attitude (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI:1.75-8.82) and practices toward coronavirus (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI:2.18-23.95) were predictors significantly associated with dietary diversity. This study concluded that family size, monthly income, and dietary diversity were factors contributed to household food security. On the other hand, variables such as educational status, family size, and food security were highly relevant factors for dietary diversity after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices were also variables related to both household food security and dietary diversity. Therefore, immediate interventions such as nutrition-specific interventions can be suggested to address food insecurity and problems of inadequate food intake in poor urban households. In addition, governmental and non-governmental organizations should raise awareness and policies to support those at higher risk by developing affordable, sustainable and targeted social protection systems that ensure food security and adequate dietary intake at the household level.

Yazew T ，Daba A ，Hordofa L ，Garedew G ，Negash A ，Merga G ，Bakala T ... -  《Heliyon》

Dietary diversity and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public hospitals in North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023.

Adequate consumption of diversified food during pregnancy enables adequate intake of 11 important micronutrients. Pregnant women who consume an inadequate amount of diversified food during pregnancy are at a higher risk of delivering preterm babies, stillbirth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age newborns. This study aimed to assess dietary diversity (DD) and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at public hospitals in North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 pregnant women attending antenatal care. The study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. A pre-tested, structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information about dietary diversity. The questionnaire was adapted from a validated and modified individual dietary diversity guideline, as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The household food security level was determined using a standard set of questions derived from the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) measurement guide. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 software and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 for analysis. The results from the bivariate analysis of p < 0.25 were moved to the multivariable logistics regression analysis model. Any statistical test with a p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered statistically significant. The study revealed that 55.4% of the pregnant women had adequate dietary diversity. Being an urban dweller [adjusted odds ratios (AOR = 2.4. 95% CI: 1.1, 5.18)], being a housewife (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI: 1.37, 8.68), being employed (AOR = 3.69, 95% CI: 1.12, 12.16), being a merchant (AOR = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.15, 10.24), being a daily laborer (AOR = 3.66, 95% CI: 1.0, 13.45), having a low average monthly household income of <500 Ethiopian birr (ETB) (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.83), practicing home gardening (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.39, 4.5), meal frequency being three or more times per day (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.64, 5.09), and receiving dietary counseling during antenatal care (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 2.0, 6.35) were factors associated with the dietary diversity of the pregnant women. This study found that 55.4% of the pregnant women had adequate dietary diversity. Place of residence, women's occupation, average monthly household income, practicing home gardening, meal frequency per day, and receiving dietary counseling during antenatal care were strong predictors of adequate dietary diversity among pregnant women. Therefore, attention should be paid to pregnant women's diet by healthcare providers during antenatal care.

Alemu FT ，Desta AA ，Tola AG 《Frontiers in Nutrition》

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

K C D ，Shrestha N ，Shrestha R ，Sunuwar DR ，Poudyal A ... -  《PLoS One》

Food insecurity status and determinants among Urban Productive Safety Net Program beneficiary households in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Derso A ，Bizuneh H ，Keleb A ，Ademas A ，Adane M ... -  《PLoS One》

Household food insecurity and its association with school absenteeism among primary school adolescents in Jimma zone, Ethiopia.

Tamiru D ，Argaw A ，Gerbaba M ，Ayana G ，Nigussie A ，Belachew T ... -  《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》