Food Insecurity, Diet Quality and Associated Factors among Mothers and Children in Rural North-East Ghana

IntroductionFood insecurity, poor diet quality, and malnutrition remain major public health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite high nutritional vulnerability in North-East Ghana, limited research has comprehensively examined relationships between food insecurity, diet quality, and maternal-child nutrition outcomes. This study addresses critical gaps by providing an integrated analysis of these factors among mother-child dyads in rural North-East Ghana. MethodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted among 248 households in East Mamprusi Municipality [June-July 2023]. Food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale [HFIAS] and diet quality using the Diet Quality Questionnaire [DQQ]. Data were analysed using chi-square, Spearmans correlation, and Mann-Whitney U tests to identify determinants of dietary diversity. ResultsMost households [81.5%] were food insecure. Health insurance coverage [{chi}{superscript 2} = 4.31, p = 0.038] and partner occupation [{chi}{superscript 2} = 13.09, p = 0.023] were key correlates of food security. Womens dietary diversity was moderate [mean score = 4.45], with 29.8% consuming all five essential food groups. Vegetable consumption [76.2%] exceeded fruit intake [46.0%]. Among children, 97.2% were breastfed; however, only 44.4% met the minimum dietary diversity, and 27.2% met the minimum acceptable diet. Monthly food expenditure showed the strongest association with maternal [r = -0.44, p < 0.001] and child [r = -0.397, p < 0.001] dietary diversity. Polygamous households had poorer dietary outcomes for both mothers [p = 0.007] and children [p = 0.003]. Food insecurity was negatively correlated with maternal haemoglobin [{rho} = -0.283, p < 0.001], child height-for-age [{rho} = -0.166, p = 0.009], and weight-for-height [{rho} = -0.158, p = 0.013]. ConclusionFood insecurity and suboptimal diet quality persist in rural Ghana, influenced by factors such as economic status, household structure, and health service coverage. Place-based, co-designed interventions addressing economic empowerment, health coverage, and nutrition empowerment that target emerging unhealthy dietary patterns are vital for improving maternal and child nutrition and health outcomes.