Association between household food security and infant feeding practices in urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Studies in urban informal settlements show widespread inappropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and high rates of food insecurity. This study assessed the association between household food security and IYCF practices in two urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. The study adopted a longitudinal design that involved a census sample of 1110 children less than 12 months of age and their mothers aged between 12 and 49 years. A questionnaire was used to collect information on: IYCF practices and household food security. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between food insecurity and IYFC practices. The findings showed high household food insecurity; only 19.5% of the households were food secure based on Household Insecurity Access Score. Infant feeding practices were inappropriate: 76% attained minimum meal frequency; 41% of the children attained a minimum dietary diversity; and 27% attained minimum acceptable diet. With the exception of the minimum meal frequency, infants living in food secure households were significantly more likely to achieve appropriate infant feeding practices than those in food insecure households: minimum meal frequency (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.26, P=0.530); minimum dietary diversity (AOR=1.84, P=0.046) and minimum acceptable diet (AOR=2.35, P=0.008). The study adds to the existing body of knowledge by demonstrating an association between household food security and infant feeding practices in low-income settings. The findings imply that interventions aimed at improving infant feeding practices and ultimately nutritional status need to also focus on improving household food security.

Diversified Diet Feeding Practice is Low Compared to the WHO Recommendation in the Dabat Demographic and Health Surveillance System Site: Finding from the Baseline Survey of Nutrition Project, 2016

“…Finally, household food insecurity is associated with dietary diversity score of children. This finding is supported with other studies (13,25). It is known that HHFSS is one of the underlined cause of child malnutrition and hunger.…”

“…Despite dietary diversity is a potentially and useful indicator for nutrient adequacy of a diet consumed by an individual and their nutritional status (9-11), complementary feeding continues as a challenge to good nutrition in children. For instance, in Nigeria 26.5% of under five children received adequately diversified diet (12), in Kenya 76% attained minimum meal frequency; 41% of the children attained a minimum dietary diversity; and 27% attained minimum acceptable diet (13). Similarly, inappropriate complementary feeding is a common practices in Ethiopia.…”

Household Food Insecurity, Coping Strategies and Adolescent Girls’ Dietary Diversity Status in Hossana Town, Ethiopia.

“…In spite of global initiatives and sufficient food production, this study reported that around 42% of HHs were food insecure. This is in line with reported 37.2-44.4% HHs food insecurity in the country (26,27); however the status of food insecurity is much higher than reported 14% (3), and lower when compared to 75% of Birhane et al (28) and 80.5% of Kenya (29). These inconsistencies could be explained by the socioeconomic and methodological differences.…”

“…In the context of food insecurity, we found that HHs use different coping strategies to deal with difficulties. This is supported by findings from qualitative and quantitative studies (25,(28)(29)(30).…”

Household Food Insecurity, Coping Strategies and Adolescent Girls’ Dietary Diversity Status in Hossana Town, Ethiopia.

“…In spite of global initiatives and sufficient food production, our study reported that around 42% of HHs were food insecure. This is in line with reported 37.2-44.4% HHs food insecurity in the country (29,30); however the status of food insecurity is much higher than reported 14% (3), and lower when compared to 75% of Birhane et al (31) and 80.5% of Kenya (32). These inconsistencies could be explained by the socioeconomic and methodological differences.…”