Factors associated with low food consumption and diversity scores in households in Mali

Abstract

Introduction: Food consumption and diversity scores are two indicators commonly used to measure access to and diversity of food consumption at household level. In this article, we identify their determinants in households in Mali. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional food survey of 450 households in the Sikasso and Mopti regions. Data were collected using a standardized tool that provided information on food consumed the day before and the 7 days before the survey. Results: Of the 450 households, only 6 (1.3%) and 46 (10.2%) had poor and borderline food consumption scores respectively. As for the dietary diversity score, only 11 households (2.4%) had consumed less than 4 food groups on the day before the survey. The household head's level of education and economic poverty were among the factors associated with these low scores.
Conclusion: These results will enable us to take precise action on the determinants of food insecurity in our study areas.