AN NINH LƯƠNG THỰC HỘ GIA ĐÌNH CÓ TRẺ EM DƯỚI 2 TUỔI TẠI HAI XÃ BẢN PHỐ VÀ THÀO CHƯ PHÌN THUỘC TỈNH LÀO CAI

Abstract

Recently, Vietnam has achieved a remarkable reduction of malnutrition in children under 5 years old but the prevalence remains high in vulnerable areas such as in Laocai province. One of the causes of malnutrition is household food insecurity. Objective: to determine household food security in the households with children under 2 years old in Ban Pho and Thao Chu Phin commune in Laocai province. Methodology: A cross sectional study, measuring weight and height of 229 children under two, interviewing 150 mothers and focused group discussing with 40 mothers having children under two, was conducted in Oct 2014 in Ban Pho and Thao Chu Phin commune in Laocai province. Results: results showed the household food insecurity in the areas with limited food availability at household level. 100% of the households had no rice-powder for complementary feeding for children, 23.5% households could not secure their financial resources for daily meals, and 92.0% of the mothers could not buy expected food for their children due to financial reason. The percentage of children were given proper complementary feeding fed was low (14.4%) and the prevalence of underweight and stunting were very high (23.9% and 54.3%, respectively).