BMC Public Health
Volume 17, Issue 1, 2017

Dietary diversity is related to socioeconomic status among adult Saharawi refugees living in Algeria (Article) (Open Access)

Morseth M.S.* , Grewal N.K. , Kaasa I.S. , Hatloy A. , Barikmo I. , Henjum S.
  • a Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College St. Olavs Plass, Postbox 4, Oslo, 0130, Norway
  • b Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College St. Olavs Plass, Postbox 4, Oslo, 0130, Norway
  • c Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College St. Olavs Plass, Postbox 4, Oslo, 0130, Norway
  • d FAFO Toyen, PO Box 2947, Oslo, NO-0608, Norway
  • e Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College St. Olavs Plass, Postbox 4, Oslo, 0130, Norway
  • f Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College St. Olavs Plass, Postbox 4, Oslo, 0130, Norway

Abstract

Background: There is limited knowledge about dietary quality among the adult population in low- and middle income countries (LMICs). This study aims to describe dietary quality among the adult Saharawi refugee population and to investigate whether dietary quality is associated with socioeconomic status. Methods: In 2014, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Saharawi refugee camps, Algeria. A three-staged cluster sampling was performed and 180 women and 175 men, aged 18-82 years, were randomly selected. The dietary intake was assessed by 24-h dietary recall and dietary diversity score (DDS) was calculated. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the WAMI index (sanitation, assets, education and income). Results: The mean DDS among the total sample was 3.8 ± 1.4 and 2/3 of participant were at risk of low dietary adequacy. The main food groups consumed were starchy staple foods, flesh foods, and dairy. Vitamin A-rich dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds and eggs were the food groups least consumed. The multiple regression model showed a positive association between DDS and the WAMI index (P < 0.001) and a negative association between DDS and age (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Low DDS was associated with low socioeconomic status. Programmes to improve the dietary quality among the Saharawi refugees should be implemented. © 2017 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Socioeconomic status Dietary diversity WAMI Saharawi refugee population

Index Keywords

Algeria refugee human Refugees middle aged statistics and numerical data diet Aged eating Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans psychology Adolescent male female Aged, 80 and over very elderly adult social class
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85021678453&doi=10.1186%2fs12889-017-4527-x&partnerID=40&md5=fcad6d09ecff0ca02781354a21dca61e
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4527-x
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English