Examining the Effect of Urban Household Food Insecurity on Fertility in Lideta Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Despite investment and support for family planning in developing countries, some people living in poverty are hesitant to use modern birth control methods, and usage rates are insufficient. Improved reproductive health is directly related to enhanced nutrition, while optimal nutrition fosters superior reproductive health outcomes. This study aims to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and fertility in Lideta Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A study was conducted on 649 reproductive-age women in three randomly selected Woredas (districts) from a sub-city from February to March 2023. Data was collected through a validated survey by trained individuals, and household income and expenditure were used to measure food insecurity access. Poisson regressions were used to examine the link  between household food insecurity and fertility, considering other covariates. The result of the study shows that food insecurity status was a significant predictor of the number of children ever born. The number of children ever born for women within food-secure households is 0.655 times lower compared to women with food insecurity. Similarly, the age of the mother, marital status, contraceptive use, women's income, and childhood mortality were significant in predicting the effect of the number of children ever born at P < 0.05. Household food insecurity exhibits  a positive relationship with the number of children ever born. Thus, it is imperative to recognize food insecurity as a barrier that must be addressed when developing family planning services.