ABSTRACT

This cross- sectional study investigated the intricate relationship between food security, diet quality, and anthropometric status among healthcare workers in Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba. Food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Diet quality was evaluated through a Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) and anthropometric status was measured using standard procedures. Information gathered from the questionnaires was coded and entered into the computer using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for social sciences) version 29.0 and Pearson correlation significance at 0.05. Results from the socio-demographic and economic characteristics disclosed a greater number of females (78.4%) than males (21.6%). Most of them were married (68.2%), Igbos (97.7%) and all Christians (100%). Most of them were all educated and up to secondary school level (43.2%) and tertiary education level (39.8%). Their grade level falling mostly between 4-6 (55.7%) and 1-3 (38.6%). Greater number of the respondents had N30,000-N50,000 as their monthly income. Most of them had the household size of about 4-6 (54.5%). A good number of them had other additional source of income asides from trading and farming (45.5%). Results revealed that majority of the respondents consumed whole grains (89.8%), beef (89.8%), nuts and seeds (53.4%), vitamin A rich vegetables (84.1%) while the previous they did not consume legumes (63.6%), pumpkin and carrot (77.3%), fruits like paw-paw (98.9%), citrus fruits (68.2%), soda or soft drinks (53.4%), cakes and cookies (69.3%), ice cream (93.2%), sausages (88.6%), noodles (83.0%), packaged salty food (89.8%). About 38.6% of the respondents were moderately and mildly food insecure, 17.0% of the respondents were severely food insecure while 5.7% were food secure. Many (73.9%) had a high Global Dietary Recommendation (GDR) Score, while 26.1% had a low GDR Score and a mean score of 10.55 ± 1.64. The prevalence of overweight was  high(52.3%)  among  the respondents and the waist hip ratio and waist height ratio showed that 86.4% and 53.4% of the respondents respectively, were  at risk of obesity and Non-communicable  and cardiovascular diseases. The correlation between food security and diet quality of the respondents was negative and weak; NCD PROTECT (-0.371) and NCD RISK (-0.430). There was a weak negative correlation between food security and BMI (-0.328) but a high positive correlation between WHR (0.12) and WHtR (0.68). There was also a high positive correlation between food security and GDR (0.156). This implies that there is no inverse correlation. This study contributes to the limited body of research on the nutritional status of healthcare workers, recognizing their pivotal role in the healthcare system. The findings have implications for workplace health initiatives and policy development within healthcare institutions. Despite potential limitations, this research serves as a foundational step toward improving the holistic health of healthcare professionals.