Journal Article

Impact of household food insecurity on the use of maternal health services in the Savanes region, Togo: a qualitative study

Chomienne, Marie-Hélène, Kota, Komlan, Pongou, Roland

2025

Overview

Background Food insecurity is a major public health challenge in many parts of the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It affects the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly women of reproductive age in their use of maternal health services. This study explores the impact of food insecurity on the use of maternal health services among Togolese women in the Savanes region, aged between 18 and 49 years. Methods This qualitative study was carried out using both focus group discussions (FGD) and in-depth interviews (IDI), which were conducted from March 14th to May 20th, 2022 in three different rural areas of the Savanes region in Togo. Firstly, we conducted twelve in-depth interviews with health professionals in three community health centers. In addition, we conducted three FGDs with 8 participants each in three different rural areas. For analysis, all the data collected were transcribed verbatim, and themes were coded using Nvivo14. Results Household food insecurity is perceived as a significant threat and barrier to maternal healthcare utilization. Women experiencing food insecurity are less likely to seek maternal health services, as their limited financial resources are prioritized for food rather than healthcare. In contexts of poverty where finances are already precarious, food insecurity further diverts funds that could otherwise be used for medical care. As a result food and financial insecurity intersect influencing women’s decisions on whether to access maternal health services. Additionally, the majority of participants identified the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor that seriously exacerbated household food insecurity and consequently further reduced access to maternal healthcare in the region. Enhancing women’s socio-economic empowerment and promoting food self-sufficiency were highlighted as potential solutions to improve access to maternal healthcare services while ensuring food security. Conclusions Findings from this study highlight the link between food insecurity and maternal healthcare utilization, emphasizing the need to address food insecurity at its root in programs aiming to improve maternal health. Prioritizing poverty reduction through education, income, women’s socioeconomic empowerment and food self-sufficiency is crucial. Hence, intersectorial interventions including prenatal nutrition programs are essential to improving access to maternal healthcare.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / At risk populations / Biostatistics / Childbirth / Complications and side effects / COVID-19 / Demographic aspects / Economic aspects / Empowerment / Environmental Health / Epidemiology / Family Characteristics / Female / Focus Groups / Food Insecurity / Food quality / Food security / Food supply / Health aspects / Health care / Health care disparities / Health care facilities / Health care industry / Health services / Health Services Accessibility / Humans / Interviews as Topic / Maternal and child access to health and healthcare / Maternal health services / Maternal Health Services - statistics & numerical data / Maternal health services utilization / Maternal mortality / Medical personnel / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Pandemics / Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data / Poverty reduction / Pregnancy / Public Health / Qualitative Research / Qualitative study / Rural areas / Rural Population - statistics & numerical data / Social aspects / Socioeconomics / Togo / Vaccine / Womens health / Young Adult