Determinants of Household Food Insecurity among Tribal Population: An Experience from Rural West Bengal, India

Background: Knowledge regarding distribution and determinants of household food insecurity focusing on vulnerable groups is utmost important for ensuring food security, which is every nation prime agenda. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and determinants of household food insecurity among the tribal population of Purulia, West Bengal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 134 tribal households covering a total 632 population selected from 3 administrative divisions of Purulia district by two-stage random sampling. Information collected on selected demographic and socio-economic profile of the households including utilization of public distribution system (PDS) by house-to-house interview. A Bengali version of validated household food security scale-short form was used as a tool for data collection. Furthermore, the anthropometry was carried out among the children aged 6-59 months. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of household food insecurity was 35.8% in the study area. Households with lower socio-economic status, kutcha houses, low income related to the family members, holding of below poverty line (BPL), and ration card were significantly associated with the household food insecurity. Prevalence of under-weight and stunting among 6- 59 months children were found significantly more among food insecure households. Conclusions: In-spite of several efforts, household food insecurity was quite prevalent especially among vulnerable poor households. Therefore, it shows that food security along with poverty reduction activities are required to be increased at the household level.