Factors Associated with Adolescent Girls’ Dietary Diversity Status in the Context of Household Food Insecurity in Hosanna Town, South Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Food insecurity and poor dietary status are major public health issues, particularly among adolescent
girls which would perpetuate the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition. However, adolescent girls are underrepresented in nutrition-related programs. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the dietary diversity status of adolescent
girls in the context of household food insecurity in Hosanna Town, South Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 451 families with adolescent girls selected by
cluster sample technique from May 21 to June 20, 2019. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify determinants of
dietary diversity among adolescent girls. P-value< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: In this study, 41.7% (95%: CI 36.9-46.5%) of the households were food insecure and 57.8% (95% CI.53.5-
62.2) of adolescent girls consumed a diversified diet, with a mean dietary diversity score of 5.38 (SD±1.75). Having
an employed father (AOR= 3.05; 95 % CI: 1.35-6.87) and exposure to televised media (AOR=2.86; 95 % CI: 1.23-
6.42) were positively associated with dietary diversity scores. However, household food insecurity (AOR=0.22; 95 %
CI: 0.13-0.37) was inversely associated with dietary diversity scores.
Conclusion: Less than 60% of adolescent girls met the minimum dietary diversity score. Paternal occupation, exposure to media, and household food security status were factors associated with the consumption of a diversified diet.
The dietary status of adolescent girls will be improved by ensuring household food security. Multi-sector approach
and the importance of additional evidence is highlighted.