Factors Influencing Dietary Practices Among Ghanaian Residents and Liberians Living in a Protracted Refugee Situation in Ghana

Abstract

ObjectiveExamine dietary practices among Liberian refugees living in a protracted refugee situation and Ghanaians living among them. DesignQualitative data were collected via audio-taped in-depth interviews as part of a larger mixed-methods cross-sectional study. SettingBuduburam Refugee Settlement and neighboring villages, Ghana. ParticipantsTwenty-seven Liberian and Ghanaian women aged ≥16 years, who lived with ≥1 other female generation. Phenomenon of InterestSimilarities and differences in factors influencing dietary practices among Liberian refugees living in Buduburam Refugee Settlement and Ghanaians living in and around this settlement. AnalysisDomains, themes, and subthemes were confirmed through a highly iterative coding and consensus process. ATLAS.ti (version 7.5.10) was used to finalize coding and extract quotations. ResultsSeven domains emerged forming direct and indirect pathways influencing dietary patterns among Liberian refugees and Ghanaians: social support, food availability, nutrition knowledge, cultural food beliefs, food access, food preparation, and national identity. Conclusions and ImplicationsFindings provide important insights into crucial factors driving dietary practices among refugees and local communities in and around a former protracted refugee settlement. Results strongly suggest that nutrition education, food availability, and access issues should be addressed with culturally sensitive programs targeting both the refugee and host communities.