Food insecurity is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among caregivers of young children in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya: a cross-sectional study

Authors

Esther Chongwo, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Daisy Chelangat, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Eunice Njoroge, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Barack Aoko, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Martha Kaniala, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Moses Wesala, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Phillis Magoma, Aga Khan University
Joyce Marangu, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Margaret Kabue, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Daniel Rabok, Aga Khan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Department

Institute for Human Development

Abstract

Introduction: This study fills a critical gap by assessing the prevalence and association between food insecurity and depressive and anxiety symptoms among caregivers of young children in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from caregivers of children aged 0–3 years from Lamu, Isiolo and Turkana Counties (N = 446). Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scales were used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. We also administered the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, alongside sociodemographic and health-related questionnaires.

Results: The mean caregiver age was 29.37 years (SD = 6.56). Majority of participants (73.09 %) lacked improved sanitation, and 33.86 % had their first pregnancy before age 18. High levels of depressive (22.4 %) and anxiety symptoms (11.2 %) were observed. Food insecurity was significantly associated with both depressive (β = 0.24, 95 % CI [0.18 to 0.30], p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = 0.15, 95 % CI [0.10 to 0.21], p < 0.001) symptoms. Increased maternal age, higher education, and having a child with chronic illness were significant risk factors for depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent among caregivers in Kenya's ASAL and are significantly associated with food insecurity. These findings underscore the need for integrating mental health screening and support into maternal and child health programs and addressing food insecurity through multisectoral interventions. Further research is needed to explore the nexus between food insecurity, mental health, and other contextual factors influencing caregivers and child well-being in ASAL regions

Publication (Name of Journal)

Journal of Affective Disorders

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.119754

Recommended Citation

Chongwo, E., Chelangat, D., Njoroge, E., Aoko, B., Kaniala, M., Wesala, M., Magoma, P., Marangu, J., Kabue, M., Rabok, D. (2025). Food insecurity is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among caregivers of young children in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 389, 1-9.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_ihd/226

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.