Determinants of Household Food Insecurity and Depression in Mothers: Evidence from Ghana

Table 1

General background characteristics of respondents.

Characteristic	Frequency (n)	Percentage
Age group (years)
≤24	81	22.3
25–29	98	26.9
30–34	71	19.5
35–39	78	21.4
≥40	36	9.9
Marital status
Not married	12	3.3
Married	352	96.7
Educational level
None	244	67.0
Primary and above	120	33.0
Religion
Other	14	3.8
Islam	350	96.2
Ethnicity
Dagomba	349	95.9
Other (Mamprusi, Akan, and Gonja)	15	4.1
Work
Farming	158	43.4
Trading	68	18.7
Unemployed	78	21.4
Other	60	16.5
Parity
1-2	80	22.0
3-4	165	45.3
≥5	119	32.7
Self-health rating
Excellent	99	27.2
Good/very good	152	41.8
Poor/fair	113	31.0
Nutrition knowledge
Inadequate	175	48.1
Adequate	189	51.9
Social support
Inadequate	210	57.7
Adequate	154	42.3
Autonomy
Inadequate	218	59.9
Adequate	146	40.1
Nutritional status
Underweight	69	19.0
Normal weight	215	59.1
Overweight/obesity	80	22.0
Physiological state
Lactating	321	88.2
Pregnant	13	3.6
Nonpregnant and nonlactating	30	8.2
Spouse/partner’s educational level
None	196	53.8
Primary	45	12.4
Junior high school and above	123	33.8
Spouse/partner’s work
Farming	227	62.4
Other	137	37.6
Number in the household
Less than 7	45	12.4
At least 7	319	87.6
Drinking water source
Improved	235	64.6
Unimproved	129	35.4
Toilet type
Improved	21	5.8
Unimproved	343	94.2
Household wealth index (tertile)
Low	124	34.1
Middle	137	37.6
High	103	28.3
Residence area
Rural	191	52.5
Urban	173	47.5