Nutrition among men and household food security in an internally displaced persons camp in Kenya

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the nutritional status of men and the food security status of their households in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Kenya. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study using a questionnaire and biometric measurements was completed in June 2013. SETTING: IDP camp, Rongai, Kenya. SUBJECTS: A total of 267 men aged ≥18 years residing within the camp were recruited via respondent-driven sampling. Statistical associations between categorical variables were analysed using Pearson's χ 2 tests, while independent t tests were used for continuous variables. RESULTS: Among the men surveyed, we found a mean BMI of 20·3 (sd 2·5) kg/m2, with 23·9% of participants in the underweight category (BMI<18·5 kg/m2). The mean Individual Dietary Diversity Score was 6 out of a maximum score of 9. The mean Household Food Insecurity Access Scale score was 11·6 (sd 6·8), with 180 participants (71·7%) residing in households categorised as severely food insecure. Low monthly household income (<2000 Kenyan Shillings, or $US 25) was associated with a higher food insecurity score (P<0·001), greater likelihood of residing in a severely food-insecure household (P<0·001), low dietary diversity score (P<0·05) and being underweight (P<0·01). CONCLUSIONS: While the nutritional status of men in the IDP camp is comparable to non-displaced men in Kenya, household food insecurity is relatively high. Efforts to improve food security for the future are essential to minimise the impact of severe food insecurity on mental health, disease profiles and family well-being reported in other IDP settings.