Comparing level of food insecurity between households with and without home gardening practices in Zege, Amhara region, North West Ethiopia: Community based study

BACKGROUND: Globally, close to 1 billion people suffer from hunger and food insecurity. Evidence showed that prevalence of household food insecurity in Ethiopia is ranged from 25.5%-75.8%. Home gardening is one way to alleviate food insecurity. Hence, the study aimed to determine level of food insecurity and its associated factors between home gardening and non-home gardening household in Zegie, North west Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based study was conducted from February 10(th)-March 10(th)/2020. A total of 648 samples were included. First, 2142 total households who have 6–59 months of age children in the area identified and registered. Then, households categorized in to home garden practicing (1433) and non-home garden practicing (709). The calculated sample size, 324 for each group were selected using simple random sampling technique. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of food insecurity was 38.1% (95% CI: 34.29–42.11%). Food insecurity was significantly higher in non-home gardening groups than their counter parts 45.5% (95% CI: 39.80–51.20%). Having primary education and above (AO = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.25–2.86%), wealth index; 2(nd) quantile (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.85%), 3(rd) quantile (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17–0.62%) and 4(th) quantile (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.15–0.54%), dietary diversity (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.15–2.92%) and home garden practices (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.06–2.32%) were variables significantly associated with food insecurity. CONCLUSION: Food insecurity in non-home garden practicing households is higher than practicing households. The local agriculture sector needs to emphasis and empowered households on home gardening practices to realize food security.