Abstract
BackgroundFood insecurity is a critical problem affecting about 6.3% of the households in Uganda, with about 21% of the remaining households on the brink of becoming food insecure due to poverty, inequality and drought-related extreme weather events. Until recently, studies have shown that the semi-arid areas of Uganda experience food insecurity more than other parts of the country. Although wetlands significantly contribute to food security, over 80% of the households inhabiting wetland adjacent areas in Uganda are perceived to be food insecure. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence of food insecurity in the wetland adjacent areas of Uganda and the socio-economic and demographic factors that influence household food insecurity in these areas.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 520 households was conducted in areas adjacent to wetlands in Uganda. One-way analysis of variance and Chi-square test of independence were conducted to determine the association between the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of households and household food security status.ResultsThe study revealed that about 93% of the households in the wetland areas of Uganda were food insecure. Household food insecurity in these areas was significantly associated with the wetland systems, living in a permanent house, group membership and off-farm employment of the household head. Households with fewer adult members were significantly food secure compared with those with more adults. In addition, households headed by educated people were significantly food secure compared with those headed by less educated people.Conclusions Households in the wetland areas in Uganda are generally food insecure, the primary reasons being poverty, low labour productivity (and/or unemployment), and low levels of education. Unless government and civil society promote food and nutrition education, income generating activities, drought resistant crop varieties and water conservation to farmers, food insecurity in wetland areas in Uganda could further drive wetland degradation, malnutrition and public health challenges.
Highlights
Food insecurity is a critical problem affecting about 6.3% of the households in Uganda, with about 21% of the remaining households on the brink of becoming food insecure due to poverty, inequality and droughtrelated extreme weather events
Other studies [8] go further to concur that the use of wetlands for food security is the primary reason for wetland degradation and loss
The mean household size was 8 people of which about half were above 18 years old
Summary
Food insecurity is a critical problem affecting about 6.3% of the households in Uganda, with about 21% of the remaining households on the brink of becoming food insecure due to poverty, inequality and droughtrelated extreme weather events. Studies have shown that the semi-arid areas of Uganda experience food insecurity more than other parts of the country. Wetlands significantly contribute to food security, over 80% of the households inhabiting wetland adjacent areas in Uganda are perceived to be food insecure. Food security continues to feature prominently in global development agenda because of the persistence of food insecurity in many parts of the world, most especially the developing countries. Food insecurity among the inhabitants of wetland areas is of major concern from environmental and public health perspectives. From the environmental health point of view, food production in wetlands significantly contributes to degradation of wetlands, the implications being biodiversity and wetland loss. Other studies [8] go further to concur that the use of wetlands for food security is the primary reason for wetland degradation and loss. There is a growing concern that if this trend is left to continue, significant wetland resources will be destroyed [5]
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