Catherine Gichunge^1,, Arpita Das², Daniel Mutiso³, Gladys Jepkemoi⁴

The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with household dietary diversity score (HDDS) among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nakwamekwei IDP camp. A total of 159 IDPs aged≥18 years were recruited in this cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited using systematic random sampling. Socio-demographic, anthropometric measurements, food security, HDDS, physical health, mental health and social support data were collected using a researcher administered questionnaire. Logistic regression model was used to examine associations between HDDS with factors known to affect HDDS. More than half of the population (55%) were underweight. About 66% of the IDPs had low HDDS, and 94% were food insecure. The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was 45% and 77% respectively. In adjusted analyses, participants with anxiety [OR 1.16 (95% CI 1.10-1.28)] and depression [OR 2.30 (95% CI 1.55-3.40)] symptoms had significantly low HDDS. Additionally, each unit decrease in physical score was significantly associated with 57% increased risk of low HDDS [OR 1.57 (95% CI 1.15-2.14)] while each unit increase in social support score was significantly associated with 8% higher HDDS [OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.86, 0.97)]. Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors were not significantly associated with HDDS. Participants with high anxiety and depression symptoms as well as low physical score had low HDDS. Interventions that focus on improving the food security and socioeconomic status of the IDPS should be strengthened as this will lead to improvement of the IDPs overall health.

household dietary diversity, food security, IDP, social support, mental health, Kenya