Food and water access predictors of food security among rural households in Langai district, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background Research has shown that food insecurity in households and communities is increasing globally. More people are reported to now having difficulty accessing safe and quality foods. Objective This study assessed household food and water access as predictors of food security among rural households. Methods This is a cross-sectional community survey which used validated tools to collect data among 201 households representing a total population of 1,284 in Langai district. Levels of household food and water access were determined, and factors associated with food security were assessed using chi-square. Predictors of food security were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05 was adjudged significant. Results About 90% of households own a farm; with almost two-thirds (62.2%) of households acquiring their food from both self-production and market; and 73.6% engaging in household agriculture. The majority (82.1%) of the households sourced their water from boreholes and pipe-borne sources. Significant predictors of food security were lower expenditure on food (AOR: 2.19[95%CI: 1.05,4.61]; <italic>P</italic> = 0.038); not engaged in household agriculture (AOR: 2.88[95%CI: 1.09,7.59]; <italic>P</italic> = 0.032); had access to pipe-borne/borehole water (AOR: 2.76[95%CI: 1.15,6.44]; <italic>P</italic> = 0.023) and experienced little or no adverse coping behaviour (AOR: 6.07[95%CI: 1.74,21.23]; <italic>P</italic> = 0.005). Time did not influence food acquisition in the majority of households. Conclusions As reported and showcased in this study, the relationship between food security and rural household development is directly proportional in many local communities of a developing country. Efforts should be garnered towards rural household empowerment through improvement in livelihood and security to have sustainable foods and water.