The mapping of household food insecurity and its associated factors among women in Pahang, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Mohd Abu Bakar, Wan Azdie, Mat Ya, Roselawati
• Format: Proceeding Paper
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: TX341 Nutrition. Foods and food supply
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/110404/13/110404_The%20mapping%20of%20household%20food%20insecurity%20and%20its%20associated%20factors.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/110404/14/110404_The%20mapping%20of%20household%20food%20insecurity%20and%20its%20associated%20factors_abstract%20book.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/110404/15/110404_The%20mapping%20of%20household%20food%20insecurity%20and%20its%20associated%20factors_invitation%20letter.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/110404/

Background and objectives: Food insecurity is a public health problem that receives attention at the global to the individual level. Thus, this study aimed to determine the household food insecurity and its related factors as well as to map the household food insecurity. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected urban and rural area in Kuantan. It involved 110 participants which were purposely selected among households with women age (19-49 years). The FIES was used to measure the level of food security, socio-demographic and food access information was collected by using a questionnaire. In addition, the home coordinates of the participants were obtained through the smart phone WhatsApp application within 5 metre radius and geocoded to produce a visual map. The spatial relationship between household food insecurity and its associated factors was overlaid by using the Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Results: A total of 42 (38.2%) households were mild food insecurity, seven (6.4%) were moderate food insecurity while one (0.9 %) with severe food insecurity. The household income [Adj OR: 19.33(95% CI;2.41, 154.95; p=0.005], mother’s working status [Adj OR: 3.92 (95% CI; 1.40, 10.97; p= 0.009]and mother’s marital status [Adj OR: 11.68 (95% CI; 1.17, 115.97; p= 0.036] were associated with household food insecurity. For the distribution of household food insecurity, the digital map produced by GIS showed that the household location is dispersed both in urban and rural areas. Those who were food insecure were found to be significantly associated with affordability to buy food and food delivery services. Conclusion : The result warrants the need for further investigation. Health intervention programs should include food security into consideration based on its adverse implications towards public health.