Magnitude and associated factors of household food insecurity in Fedis Woreda East Hararghe zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Poverty and food insecurity remain as the major challenges to achieve economic development in Ethiopia. Explaining the household food insecurity situation and identifying associated factors will help in making better decision and resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the magnitude and identify the associated factors of household food insecurity in Fedis Woreda that has been affected by food insecurity for the quite time with a total population estimated to be 133,382 persons, of which the estimated urban population is 26,575 and estimated rural population is 127,877. The Woreda is in food deficit every year where the food gap is covered by food aid amounting to 15–25% for the poorest households of Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study was used to collect data on calorie availability at household level, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors and coping strategies from 743 households. Household food insecurity was obtained by comparing the total food calorie available for consumption in the household per adult equivalent to the minimum level of subsistence requirement per adult equivalent of 2200 kcal. Data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solution. Binary logistic regression analysis is used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Results About 58% of the sampled households in the study area were food insecure. The binary logistics regression analysis identified educational status of the household head [AOR, 95% CI 0.59 (0.38–0.91)], annual farm income [AOR, 95% CI 0.44 (0.287–0.675)], sufficient crop production [AOR, 95% CI 0.45 (0.274–0.748)], dietary diversity [AOR, 95% CI 0.548 (0.382–0.786)] and oxen ownership [AOR, 95% CI 0.454 (0.323–0.639)] were the major factors inversely associated with food insecurity status. On the other hand, large family size [AOR, 95% CI 6.143 (2.40–15.0)], lower than average monthly off-farm income [AOR, 95% CI 1.85 (1.18–2.91)] and small land size [AOR, 95% CI 3.04 (2.04–4.52)] were increased the chance being food insecure household in the study area. Conclusions The findings imply that more than half of the community was food insecure where improvement in food security situation needs to promote family planning, undertake different income generating activities and improve access to farmer’s education. These areas could provide entry points for policy intervention to reduce food insecurity and create community livelihood opportunities.