Abstract:
Food is a source of energy for humans, and insufficient availability of food
affects our health of all people, most especially pregnant adolescents. The
purpose of this study was to examine food insecurity status among pregnant
adolescents in the Shama District. The study applied the descriptive research
design, and sampled 238 pregnant adolescents using the convenient sampling
technique. Respondents were required to answer a 31-item Likert-type
questionnaire that assessed food insecurity status, factors affecting food
insecurity and health-related quality of life. From the analyses of data, it was
revealed that food insecurity among pregnant adolescents in Shama was low
(Mean= 1.92, SD= .84). Also, it was found that the key factors affecting food
insecurity among pregnant adolescents in Shama was household size (Mean=
3.02, SD= .53), insufficient food supply (Mean= 2.68, SD= .52), and unstable
income (Mean= 2.66, SD= .52). Furthermore, it was found that food insecurity
is negatively and significantly correlated with both physical (r= -.576, p < .05)
and mental health (r= -.446, p < .005) dimensions of health-related quality of
life. Finally, there was a significant difference in food insecurity status with
respect to the economic status of pregnant adolescent [F (2, 235), 9.260, p
< .05]. It was concluded that food insecurity among pregnant adolescents in
Shama District is low. Furthermore, food insecurity has a negative impact on
the health-related quality of life of pregnant adolescents. It was recommended
that attention should be paid nutritional need of pregnant adolescents in Shama
District.
