Abstract
BackgroundFood insecurity is a global problem affecting many people worldwide, including approximately 220 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia is among the countries severely affected by hunger. However, evidence on how populations within Ethiopia cope with hunger and food insecurity is limited. This study aimed to identify household coping mechanisms in response to food insecurity at a Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System site.MethodsThis study used data from a re-census collected between October 2014 and December 2014.15,159 household members in thirteen kebeles of the Dabat Health and Demographic surveillance system were included. The outcome variables of the study were food insecurity and coping strategies. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to assess food insecurity. If food insecurity was found, families were asked about coping mechanisms used. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to identify socio-demographic determinants of reducing amount and frequency of meal as a coping mechanism in response to food insecurity.ResultOf the 15,159 households surveyed, 6671 (44.01%) reported the presence of a food insecurity in their household. Decreasing meal frequency and portions (3733 (55.96%)), borrowing money and food (2542 (38.11%)), and receiving food and money aid (1779 (26.67%)) were among the major coping strategies used by the households. Urban dwellers (AOR 2.07: 95% CI 1.74, 2.46), mid-altitude (weyina-dega) and high-land (dega) dwellers (AOR 2.46: 95% CI 2.08, 2.92 and AOR 1.22 95% CI 1.08, 1.38 respectively), and not married persons (AOR 1.60: 95% CI 1.07, 2.39) were more likely to consume less when faced with a food insecurity (using reducing amount and frequency of meal as a coping strategy).ConclusionHouseholds in the study area experienced a very high rate of food insecurity. Decreasing meal frequency and portions was the primary coping mechanism used by the households. Due to the severe insecurity of food in their household, many people chose to reduce the amount and frequency of their meal in order to prolong the small amount of food in their house. This finding indicates a high risk for undernourishment which can exacerbate the burden of malnutrition and related diseases in the region.
Highlights
Food insecurity is a global problem affecting many people worldwide, including approximately 220 million people in sub-Saharan Africa
Decreasing meal frequency and portions was the primary coping mechanism used by the households
This study aims to identify and describe the coping mechanisms reported during periods of food insecurity at the Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System (DHDSS) site, with the intention of informing strategies to improve food security in Ethiopia
Summary
Food insecurity is a global problem affecting many people worldwide, including approximately 220 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence on how populations within Ethiopia cope with hunger and food insecurity is limited. Food insecurity is a major challenge worldwide with17% of people in developing countries living in extreme poverty [3]. In 2015, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reported that hunger affects 795 million people worldwide and 780 million of those people live in the world’s developing regions. Many of the people most affected by hunger live in rural areas and rely on agriculture for much of their income [3]. Ensuring food security and appropriate nutrition within the poorest households is a special challenge since rural food production is limited by marginal soil fertility and a lack of resources to invest in buying the necessary agricultural inputs. Due to changes in weather patterns, the country has faced many droughts in recent years, which decreases crop productions and exacerbates food insecurity [2, 5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
