Contribution of own food production to household dietary diversity and nutrient intake adequacy among refugee households in Palorinya, northwestern Uganda

Background Hunger and malnutrition are major global issues particularly in conflict and disaster-affected areas. Own food production has been considered as effective strategy to improve nutrition outcomes. However, evidence on its contribution to dietary diversity and nutrient intake adequacy, especially in refugee settings with limited access to land remains limited. This study assessed the contribution of own food production to dietary diversity and nutrient intake adequacy among refugees in Palorinya settlement, northwestern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 316 randomly selected households in Palorinya refugee settlement, northwestern Uganda. Current household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall of food groups consumed. Nutrient intake adequacy was estimated using food composition tables based on annual food production and consumption. Poisson regression with robust standard errors and multiple linear regression were employed to identify factors associated with current HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Beta coefficients with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented. Results Own food production greatly contributed to vegetable consumption (85.0%) but was low for animal-sourced foods (3% for milk/dairy products; 7.5% for meat). Own food production contributed minimally to nutrient intake adequacy, with most households falling short of annual recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium (100%), iron (95%), zinc and protein (95.2%), and energy (99%). Education level, access to agricultural land, and kitchen garden were key predictors of both HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Additionally, size of agricultural, household income and occupation also influenced HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Conclusion Own food production contributes moderately to dietary diversity and minimally to nutrient intake adequacy. Education level, land access, and kitchen gardening play important roles in shaping HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Interventions should focus on promoting kitchen gardening, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and improving refugee land policy to enhance nutrient intake in refugee settlements.