Prevalence of Household Food Insecurity and its Predictive Factors in Pregnant Women of Qazvin Province, Iran

Introduction: The Iranian population faces heightened vulnerability to food insecurity due to multifaceted factors, including poverty, economic instability, climate change, and the protracted socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Pregnant women are particularly at risk, necessitating targeted assessments of this critical public health issue. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and its predictors among pregnant women in Qazvin, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Qazvin from ۲۰۲۲ to ۲۰۲۳, enrolling ۴۲۲ healthy pregnant women attending comprehensive health centers. Data were collected using a researcher-developed checklist for sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, while food insecurity was assessed via the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Logistic regression analysis identified predictors (P < ۰.۰۵). Results: Food insecurity prevalence reached ۷۱.۴% (۹۵% CI: ۶۶.۸۹-۷۵.۵۱), with ۴۸.۹% moderate-to-severe food insecurity. In adjusted analyses, rural residence (OR: ۰.۲۰; P: ۰.۰۱۵), smoking (OR: ۰.۲۰; P = ۰.۰۴۱), and hookah consumption (OR: ۰.۲۹; P: ۰.۰۰۱) were significantly associated with lower food security. Conversely, family income status at the level of savings (OR: ۲۵.۱۰; P< ۰.۰۰۱) and sufficient (OR: ۵.۱۸; P< ۰.۰۰۱), supplemental health insurance coverage (OR: ۲.۰۵; P: ۰.۰۰۶), and higher maternal education levels (OR: ۱.۹۶; P: ۰.۰۱۲) correlated with increased probability of food security. Conclusion: Food insecurity is prevalent among pregnant women in Qazvin, disproportionately affecting rural populations, those with lower education, inadequate income, lack of supplemental insurance, and substance use (smoking/hookah). Intervention programs should prioritize these high-risk groups to mitigate nutritional disparities.

کلیدواژه ها:

Prevalence ، pregnancy ، Food insecurity