(P19-005-23) Association of Food Insecurity With Depression Among Women of Reproductive Age in Cameroon: First Population-Based Study From the Demographic and Health Surveys 2018

Objectives: Depression is one of the most common mental health illnesses worldwide and more than 75% of people living in low- and middle-income countries such as sub-Sahara Africa receive no formal treatment for depression. Food insecurity is a condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food and has been associated with depression. Thus, we conducted a population-based study to assess whether food insecurity was associated with depression among women of reproductive age 15–49 years in Cameroon.

Methods: The present analysis was based on the most recent Cameroon Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) 2018, where food insecurity and depression data were collected. A total of 13,527 women of reproductive age 15-49 years were analyzed. Food insecurity was assessed with the 8-item Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) survey module with “yes” affirmative responses indicating food insecurity. Depression was assessed using a self-reported diagnosis of depression by a doctor or nurse. All estimates of means and proportions were adjusted for the survey weights. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine the association of food insecurity with depression, adjusting for confounding variables.

Results: The mean age (SD) of the women was 27.9 (9.4 years) and 56.9%were married. The prevalence of food insecurity among women of reproductive age in Cameroon was 70.0% (95% CI: 67.9-71.6). The prevalence of diagnosed depression was 1.1%. Relative to food secure participants, the adjusted OR for depression was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.12–3.54) in the food insecure population. Excluding currently pregnant and breastfeeding women, attenuated the association slightly but remained significant, (OR=1.84; 95% CI: 1.02–3.34).

Conclusions: In this study, the prevalence of food insecurity among women of reproductive in Cameroon was very high. Food insecurity was associated with a 2-fold increase in the odds of depression. The findings call for the need to better prioritize efforts and resources aimed at improving food access and mental health.

Funding Sources: There was no external or internal funding to support this study.