Prevalência e fatores associados a insegurança alimentar em famílias indígenas do estado de Alagoas

Abstract

Despite efforts over the years to combat Food Insecurity (FI), this is still a frequent problem, especially when it comes to vulnerable populations such as indigenous people in Brazil. The study aimed to understand the prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity in indigenous families in the state of Alagoas. This is a population-based cross-sectional study that sought to evaluate 11 indigenous ethnicities in the state. For sample planning, a prevalence of 50% was used in order to obtain the largest possible sample size. Thus, in a universe of 8,575 families, a significance level of 5.0%, sampling error of 3.0% and a 95% confidence interval, a sample of 950 families would be necessary. The dependent variable was AI, defined by the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Bivariate analysis was performed and then multivariate analysis using a hierarchical model, with the independent variables (demographic, socioeconomic and environmental characteristics) using Poisson regression with robust variance adjustment. The results showed 1270 families evaluated with a prevalence of 69.06% of IA in some degree of classification, with almost 30% in moderate and severe forms. The independent variables associated with FI were: gender (RP=1.38; 95%CI:1.16-1.63), type of house (RP=1.69; 95%CI:1.25-2.28), number of rooms (RP=1.47; 95%CI:1.18-1.84), head's education 5 to 8 years (RP=1.80; 95%CI:1.38-2.34) and less or up to 4 years of study (RP=2.02; 95%CI:1.61-2.53), regarding working conditions, retired heads of household or pensioners (RP=1.73; 95%CI1.10-2 .73); and unemployed (PR=1.62; 95%CI1.03-2.54); total income, more than one salary up to two minimum wages (RP=1.69; IC95%1.22-2.33) and from zero to one minimum wage (RP=2.00; IC95%1.44-2, 76). The situation of FI among the indigenous people of Alagoas is high and has been shown to be associated with demographic, socioeconomic and environmental factors that highlight their vulnerability and the need for public policy actions to guarantee the rights of these people and improve their quality of life.