ABSTRACT

High prevalence of food insecurity experienced by many households in developing countries predisposes them to adopting coping strategies (CSs), some of which may put them at risk of malnutrition. This study assessed the household food insecurity status and Coping Strategies in Umuahia North and South Local Government Areas of Abia State. A cross-sectional study design was adopted. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 400 households from eight (8) communities in the aforementioned study location. Interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. Household food insecurity (HFI) status and coping strategy were assessed using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and Coping Strategy index questionnaires. The data was analysed using Statistical Package Service Software (SPSS) version 25.0. Descriptive and Inferential Statistics were computed for the variables with significance judged at (P< 0.05). Findings of the study showed that (81.7%) of the household heads were male while (18.3%) were female. Majority (79.1%) of the respondents were married while 16.5% were widowed. About (48.5%) of the respondents finished secondary education while 15.0% and 25.1% attended tertiary education I and tertiary education II respectively. Majority (97.2%) of the respondents were Christians while 1.3% and 1.6% were Muslims and Traditionalist respectively. About (23.0%) of the respondents estimated monthly income was less than N 30,000, while (22.5%) earn about N 30,000 - N 50,000 monthly, and about (29.2%) earn N 71,000 – N 100,000. About (13.1%) of the respondents rarely worry about food while greater number (40.1%) sometimes worry about food. About (43.4%) sometimes rely on less preferred foods while (32.6%) sometimes limit portion size at meal times and (29.2%) reduced number of meals eaten in a day. Greater number (82.2%) of respondents were food insecure while 16.7% were food secure. About one-fifth (14.2%) were severely food insecure while 36.7%, and 32.3% were moderately and mildly food insecure respectively. A significant association exists between Coping Strategy categories and food insecurity status (P 0.01). However, the result indicated that household income was significantly associated with food insecurity. The result also indicated that sex of household head (AOR=2.60; CL: 1.26, 5.37) and education level of household head (AOR=0.07; CL: 0.01, 0.49) are significant predictors of food coping strategies. The prevalence of food insecurity was high and most households adopted CS that reduced both food quality and quantity and could adversely affect their nutritional status and predisposed them to multiple forms of malnutrition.