Determinants of household food security and dietary diversity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the associated factors of household food security (HFS) and household dietary diversity (HDD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. DESIGN: Both online survey and face-to-face interviews were employed in this cross-sectional study. The household food security scale and household dietary diversity score were used to access HFS and HDD, respectively. The HDD scores were derived from a 24-h recall of food intake from 12 groups. SETTING: Bangladesh. PARTICIPANTS: A total sample of 1,876 households were recruited. RESULTS: The overall mean scores of HFS and HDD were 31.86 (±SD 2.52) and 6.22 (±SD 5.49), respectively. Being a rural resident, having no formal education, occupation of household head other than Government job, and low monthly income were potential determinants of lower HFS and HDD. Approximately 45% and 61% of Bangladeshi households did not get the same quantity and same type of food, respectively, as they got before the pandemic. Over 10% of respondents reported that they lost their job or had to close their businesses, and income reduction was reported by over 70% of household income earners during the COVID-19 pandemic, which in turn was negatively associated with HFS and HDD. CONCLUSION: Household socioeconomic variables and COVID-19 effects on occupation and income are potential predictors of lower HFS and HDD scores. HFS and HDD deserve more attention during this pandemic particularly with reference to low-earning households and the households whose earning persons' occupation has been negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.