Food and nutritional insecurity of families using the Family Health Strategy in two municipalities in Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract The objective of this article is to evaluate factors associated with food and nutritional insecurity in families with children under 5 years of age living in areas covered by the Family Health Strategy. Cross-sectional study involving 406 families from two municipalities in the Metropolitan Region of João Pessoa, Paraíba. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale was used to assess the families’ food and nutritional security. The determinants of moderate/severe food insecurity were analyzed using the Decision Tree. Food and nutritional insecurity reached 71.4% of families. Moderate/severe food insecurity (32%) was primarily associated with the benefit of the Family Allowance (Bolsa Família) Program, and also with family composition consisting of children under 2 years of age, lower socioeconomic status, and family dysfunction. The results showed high prevalence of food and nutritional insecurity whose more serious levels suggest the importance of interventions aimed at improving the Family Allowance Program for the conditions of households with children under 2 years of age, socioeconomic situation of families, and functionality of families.

摘要 本研究旨在评估帕拉伊巴州若昂佩索阿都会区两个市镇的家庭健康战略（Family Health Strategy）覆盖区域内，家中有5岁以下儿童的家庭所面临的食物与营养不安全相关影响因素。本研究为横断面研究，共纳入该区域两个市镇的406个家庭。采用巴西食物不安全量表（Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale）评估各家庭的食物与营养安全状况，并通过决策树（Decision Tree）分析中度/重度食物不安全的影响因素。调查结果显示，71.4%的家庭存在食物与营养不安全问题，其中32%为中度/重度食物不安全状况；此类状况主要与领取家庭补助金（Bolsa Família）计划补助、家中有2岁以下儿童、较低的社会经济地位以及家庭功能失调相关。本研究结果表明，该区域食物与营养不安全问题患病率较高，且严重程度不容忽视，提示需针对以下维度开展干预以改善相关家庭处境：优化家庭补助金计划、关注家中有2岁以下儿童的家庭、改善家庭社会经济状况以及修复家庭功能。