Food insecurity status and associated factors among rural households in North-East of Iran

ABSTRACT

To assess the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among rural households in north-east of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 4647 rural households [18,061 persons] were studied in Neyshabur, a city in north-east of Iran. The Iranian version of the Six-Item Short questionnaire of Household Food Security Scale was used to measure food insecurity. Logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios [OR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI]. Total prevalence of food insecurity in this study was 40.9% [95% CI 39.49-42.31]. Backward Multivariate Logistic Regression model showed that OR of food insecurity increased with The presence of chronic disease in household in comparison the absence [OR = 2.02], the rural distance >30 km from the city in comparison the distance smoker in household in comparison the absence [OR = 1.8], the residential infrastructure of household 50 m[2] [OR = 1.57], the presence of single parent in comparison the presence of both parents at home [OR = 1.39] and the household income [per month] <4,000,000 Rial in comparison the >/= 4,000,000 Rial [OR = 3.92]. But OR of food insecurity decreased with having a car in family in comparison not having [OR = 0.54] and the family having a house in comparison not having [OR = 0.62]. According to results of this study, food insecurity is prevalent among rural households of Neyshabur, so it is an important public health problem in this region