Factors Associated with Food Insecurity among Pregnant Women in Gedeo Zone Public Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia

BackgroundFood insecurity refers to a lack of consistent access to sufficient food for active, better health. Around two billion people worldwide suffer from food insecurity and hidden hunger. Food insecurity and associated factors among pregnant women in Gedeo Zone Public Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia, are the focus of this study. MethodFrom May to June 2021 G.C. institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in Gedeo zone public hospitals. A sample of 506 women has been used, and a multistage cluster sampling technique was used. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to determine the association between various factors and outcomes. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant in multivariable regression. ResultsFood insecurity was found to be prevalent in 67.4% of pregnant mothers. The results of a multivariable logistic regression revealed that pregnant women from rural areas [AOR=0.532, 95 % CI: 0.285, 0.994], married [AOR=0.232, 95% CI: 0.072, 0.750], have a secondary education [AOR=0.356, 95%CI: 0.154, 0.822], and be employed [AOR=0.453, 95% CI: 0.236, 0.872], income between 1000 and 2000 [AOR=0.163, 95% CI: 0.066, 0.399], and income greater than 2000 [AOR=0.125, 95% CI: 0.053,0.293], the wealth index middle and rich [AOR=0.441, 95% CI: 0.246, 0.793] were significant predictors of food insecurity among pregnant mothers [AOR=0.24, 95 % CI: 0.128, 0.449]. ConclusionThe study area had a high prevalence of food insecurity. Food insecurity was reduced in those who lived in rural areas, were married, had a secondary education, earned between 1000 and 2000 ETB and more than 2000 ETB, and had a wealth index of middle and rich.