Food Insecurity and Health Inequality: Examining the Impact of Nutritional Access on Disease Outcomes in Vulnerable Nigerian Population

• Author(s): Prof. Innime Righteous ; Ene-Bongilli, Goodness ; Yakubu Kolo Yaro ; Stephen Blessing Musa
• Paper ID: 1710331
• Page: 980-986
• Published Date: 29-08-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 2 August-2025

Abstract

Food insecurity is a major issue in Nigeria, especially among the poor; vulnerable groups like children, women, and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Food insecurity and health inequality: Examining the impact of nutritional access on disease outcomes in vulnerable Nigerian population. The study was conducted in three Nigerian states: Adamawa, Nasarawa, and Kaduna. These areas were strategically selected to represent Nigeria's diverse geographic, socio-economic, and food security conditions. The study employed a mixed-methods research design. The target population included households, healthcare providers, and policy stakeholders in the selected states. The sample size for the study was 500 which was selected using the multi-stage sampling procedure. Data collection instruments included structured questionnaires, semi-structured interview guides, and observational checklists. The questionnaire incorporated items from standardized instruments such as the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Content validity was established by panel of experts in public health, nutrition, and social research. The reliability coefficient was 0.89. The data collection process was carried out in three phases over six weeks. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted at respondents' homes. Quantitative data were analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27, using means, standard deviations and logistic regression set at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that there was a high positive impact of food insecurity on nutritional status (r = 0.87). Food insecurity contributed 76.6% of the impact on nutritional status (R2 = 0.766). There was a high positive relationship between food insecurity and prevalence of non-communicable diseases (r = 0.93), and food insecurity contributed 87.6% of the variance in non-communicable diseases (R2 = 0.875). The findings of the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between food insecurity and health outcomes [f(1,499) = 1635.36, p = 0.00], and incidence of non-communicable diseases [f(1,499) = 3512.68, p = 0.00]. Also, there was a low extent of food insecurity (2.28±1.10). This research underscored the fact that food insecurity and health inequality are deeply intertwined and mutually reinforcing phenomena.

Keywords

Health, Inequality, food insecurity, Vulnerable Population

Citations

IRE Journals:
Prof. Innime Righteous , Ene-Bongilli, Goodness , Yakubu Kolo Yaro , Stephen Blessing Musa "Food Insecurity and Health Inequality: Examining the Impact of Nutritional Access on Disease Outcomes in Vulnerable Nigerian Population" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 2 2025 Page 980-986

IEEE:
Prof. Innime Righteous , Ene-Bongilli, Goodness , Yakubu Kolo Yaro , Stephen Blessing Musa "Food Insecurity and Health Inequality: Examining the Impact of Nutritional Access on Disease Outcomes in Vulnerable Nigerian Population" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(2)