Background: Food insecurity poses a significant public health challenge in rural Tanzania, particularly for mothers with infants under 12 months, contributing to maternal malnutrition and poor infant growth outcomes like stunting and wasting. In Korogwe District, Tanga Region, socio-demographic and economic factors exacerbate these issues, yet specific data on household food insecurity and maternal dietary practices remain limited.
Aim of the Study: This study aimed to assess household food insecurity among mothers with infants under 12 months in Magunga ward, Korogwe District, from 14 to 25 July 2025. It sought to determine food intake frequency and diversity, estimate food insecurity prevalence, and identify associated socio-demographic and economic factors to inform targeted nutritional interventions.
Methods: A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted, involving 265 mothers selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a 24-hour food frequency recall questionnaire and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 25 to analyze dietary patterns, food insecurity prevalence, and associated factors.
Results: Findings revealed that 40% of households experienced food insecurity (24.9% mild, 14.0% moderate, 1.1% severe). Most mothers consumed two to three meals daily, but dietary diversity was low, with limited intake of nutrient-rich foods (e.g., milk: 20%, eggs: 15.5%). Food insecurity was significantly higher in single/divorced mothers, low-income households (<50,000 TZS), unemployed mothers, and those with no formal education.
Discussion: The study on mothers with infants under 12 months found that 40% of households were food insecure, largely driven by socio-economic factors such as low income, reliance on farming, unemployment, limited education, larger household sizes, and lack of social support. This study also revealed low dietary diversity, with diets dominated by staples and limited consumption of nutrient-rich foods, posing risks to maternal and infant health. Similarly, Randell et al. (2022) identified a high prevalence of food insecurity but linked it to climate variability, showing that particularly dry and cool growing seasons increase the risk of food insecurity by among households with fewer working-age members.
Conclusion: Food insecurity in Korogwe District disproportionately affects mothers with infants, particularly those who are single or divorced, belong to low-income households earning less than 50,000 TZS, are unemployed, or lack formal education.
Recommendations: Implement nutritional education, expand food assistance, promote income-generating activities, and support diverse crop production.
