Selamawit Negash¹, Dilu Shaleka², Mogessie Ashenafi^1,

Parts of the northern regions of Ethiopia have suffered from repeated draught and chronic food insecurity for decades. Foodborne diseases and malnutrition, particularly affect infants and young children. This study assessed the extent of food insecurity in low-income households, food safety practices therein and nutritional status of under five children in Adigrat town, Tigray region, Ethiopia. A total of 342 households were selected randomly from the town’s six kebeles (districts). A cross-sectional survey was carried out among randomly selected households in the study area. Moreover, Household food insecurity access scale was used to assess food security status of households. Household food safety was assessed regarding food handling, personal hygiene and water sanitation. Nutritional status of under-five children was assessed using anthropometric measurements. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results were presented using descriptive statistics. Only 2.2% of the households were food secure. All respondents were mothers, and the majority (54%) were older than 45 years. About 97% of them did not have a paid occupation. About 46% of households had four or more members. Most respondents obtained food for the family through daily house-to-house begging or by doing petty jobs for other families. Most households were mildly (26.7%), moderately (27%) or severely food insecure (44.3%). Respondents had poor level of knowledge (37.6%) and practice (37.1%) in food handling, personal hygiene and water sanitation, although positive attitude towards food safety was good (91.7%). Of the under-five children in the study households, 28.8% were thin, 56.6% were stunted, 65.3% were underweight and 48.3% were undernourished. Urgent supply of supplementary nutrients to severely malnourished children is required. Government support to food insecure households through productive safety-net programs is recommended. It is important to give training by health extension workers to food insecure households on food safety and nutrition.

food insecurity, food safety, anthropometry, malnutrition