Food Insecurity In Urban Households Research Articles

Understanding the link between urban household food insecurity and contraceptive use among reproductive-age women in Lideta Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Introduction: The enhancement of reproductive health in women can result in an improvement of children’s nutritional status resulting in improvement of reproductive health. This association is important for sustainable population growth without overusing resources. This study aims to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and contraceptive use.Method: A study was conducted on 651 reproductive-age women in three randomly selected Woredas (districts), Lideta Sub-city from February to March 2023. Six Ketenas (villages) were selected using a probability proportional to size technique from three Woredas. Data were collected through a validated survey by trained individuals, and household income and expenditure were used to measure food insecurity access. The Pearson chi-square test (c2) and logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and contraceptive use, considering other covariates.Result: Modern contraception usage was at 50.5% in the study area. Women with food insecurity had only a 32.0% usage rate, while those who were food secure had the higher rate of 68.7%. Women in food-insecure households had a 76.5% lower chance of using modern contraception. Positive attitude, family planning information, partner discussion, income, and childhood mortality were associated with contraceptive use (p <0.05).Conclusion: Use of modern methods of contraception showed a negative correlation with food insecurity. Therefore, addressing household food insecurity as a potential obstacle to the development of family planning services requires comprehensive stakeholder engagement and socio-economic policy intervention.

Examining the relationship between urban household food insecurity and under-five mortality in Lideta Sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Household food insecurity increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in children. Improved reproductive health in women enhances the nutrition status of children, while better food security helps children survive. This study aims to examine the relationship between food insecurity and under-five mortality. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2023 in Lideta Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 605 women of reproductive age were selected using multistage sampling. A Pearson Chi-square test (χ2) and logistic regression were used to assess the association between food insecurity and under-five mortality after adjusting for other covariates. The result of the study shows that food security status was a significant predictor of under-five mortality at p < 0.05. According to the findings, women from food-insecure households were 3.89 times more likely to experience under-five mortality compared to women from food-secure households. Similarly, women’s education, age at first birth, initiation of breastfeeding, child’s age and sex, birth order, and the number of children ever born were significant predictors of under-five mortality at p < 0.05. These outcomes reinforce the notion that food insecurity is a significant public health concern. Consequently, national and regional considerations should prioritize addressing household food insecurity and cases of acute malnutrition to achieve sustainable development goals.

Examining the Effect of Urban Household Food Insecurity on Fertility in Lideta Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Examining the Effect of Urban Household Food Insecurity on Fertility in Lideta Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Examining the Effect of Urban Household Food Insecurity on Fertility in Lideta Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Despite investment and support for family planning in developing countries, some people living in poverty are hesitant to use modern birth control methods, and usage rates are insufficient. Improved reproductive health is directly related to enhanced nutrition, while optimal nutrition fosters superior reproductive health outcomes. This study aims to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and fertility in Lideta Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A study was conducted on 649 reproductive-age women in three randomly selected Woredas (districts) from a sub-city from February to March 2023. Data was collected through a validated survey by trained individuals, and household income and expenditure were used to measure food insecurity access. Poisson regressions were used to examine the connection between household food insecurity and fertility, considering other covariates. The result of the study shows that food insecurity status was a significant predictor of the number of children ever born. The number of children ever born for women within food-secure households is 0.655 times lower compared to women with food insecurity. Similarly, the age of the mother, marital status, contraceptive use, women's income, and childhood mortality were significant in predicting the effect of the number of children ever born at P < 0.05. Household food insecurity exhibits a negative correlation with the number of children ever born. Thus, it is imperative to recognize food insecurity as a barrier that must be addressed when developing family planning services.

Examining the effect of demographic and socioeconomic factors on household food insecurity in Lideta subcity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Food security and vulnerability assessments in Ethiopia have traditionally focused on rural regions. In contemporary policy discussions, urban food security has garnered significant attention. Notably, there is a lack of empirical substantiation of urban food security and its impact on the livelihoods of city dwellers as they grapple with escalating food prices. The present study aims to determine the extent of household food insecurity and identify correlated factors among 692 households in three randomly selected Woredas (districts) within Lideta sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Six Ketenas (villages) were selected using a probability proportional-to-size technique from three Woredas between February and March of 2023. Data were collected through a validated survey administered by trained individuals, and household income and expenditure were used to measure food insecurity access. Chi-square (χ2) and logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with food insecurity in the region. The overall prevalence of household food insecurity in the study area was found to be 66.5%. Regression results indicate that seven of the hypothesized nine demographic and socioeconomic determinants of household food insecurity significantly influence the probability of experiencing food insecurity (p < 0.05). Household food expenditure, household dependency ratio, age, sex, educational status of the household head, access to savings and credit, and the urban productive safety net program were identified as significant determinants of urban household food insecurity. This study underscores that food insecurity in Ethiopia is not limited to rural areas but also affects urban regions, mainly due to high urban poverty rates. Strategies to reduce household size, improve the household dependency ratio, and enhance socioeconomic factors can empower households to build resilience against food insecurity. Policymakers should adopt measures to stabilize the food insecurity improve living standards, and enhance the economic capabilities of urban households.

COVID-19 and Urban Food Security in Ghana during the Third Wave

While the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on household food security have been documented, the intensity and forms of food insecurity in urban households in the Global South have not been adequately explored. This is despite the emerging consensus that impacts of the pandemic were more severe in urban than rural Africa. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by examining the relationship between pandemic precarity and food insecurity in Ghana’s urban areas during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This study is based on the World Bank (WB) and Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) COVID-19 High-Frequency Phone Survey. Using a sub-sample of 1423 urban households, the paper evaluates household experiences of the pandemic. Our findings show that household demographic characteristics are not a major predictor of food insecurity. Economic factors, especially the impact of the pandemic on wage income and total household income, were far more important, with those most affected being most food insecure. Additionally, food-insecure households were most aware of and were affected by food-price increases during the pandemic. These findings are important in planning the post-pandemic recovery initiatives and in addressing current and future emergencies and shocks to urban food systems.

Magnitude of urban household food insecurity in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and determinants of urban household food insecurity in East Africa. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies conducted in East Africa. Seventeen studies (fifteen cross-sectional and two cohort) that enrolled 156 996 households. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to search electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, African Journals OnLine, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar; date of last search: 10 June 2020) for studies reporting the prevalence and associated factors of urban household food insecurity. A total of 17 studies with 156 996 households from 8 countries were used for the analysis. The pooled prevalence of urban household food insecurity in East Africa was 60·91 % (95 % CI 47·72, 74·11; I2 = 100 %; P < 0·001) where the highest (91 %) and lowest (36·5 %) was observed in Sudan and Burundi, respectively. Household head educational status (illiterate) (AOR = 2·53; 95 % CI 2·11, 2·95, I2 = 90 %; P < 0·01), female as household head (AOR = 1·45; 95 % CI 1·16, 1·75; I2 = 0·0 %; P = 0·993), large family size (AOR = 1·43; 95 % CI 1·09, 1·76, I2 = 0·0 %; P = 0·863) and poorest wealth quantile (AOR = 3·95; 95 % CI 1·93, 5·98; I2 = 57·2 %, P = 0·053) were factors which significantly increased odds of urban household food insecurity in East Africa. The prevalence of urban household food insecurity in East Africa remains high. Therefore, policies and intervention programmes should be designed to reduce the high burden of food insecurity among urban households considering the identified factors.

Association between Dietary Diversity and Food Insecurity in Urban Households: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Various Ethnic Populations of Karachi, Pakistan.

Background and PurposeThe world is experiencing a nutritional transition, yet some regions of South East Asia are still living under the shadows of catastrophic nutritional indicators. Pakistan bears a high dual burden of both communicable and chronic diseases. However, a major contributing factor of both is poor diet and nutrition. The causal pathway of stunting, underweight, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies has beginnings in less dietary diversity and food insecurity. Current literature on Pakistan and other South Asian countries regarding food insecurity and dietary diversity largely focus on women and children aged less than 5 years; however, ethnic and cultural dynamics of the populace concerning their food and dietary practices in Pakistan have not been well explored. It is essential to have a clear insight into the factors involving malnutrition in different clusters, especially different cultures and ethnicities to target specific areas of interventional strategies versus a uniform approach for all. This study aimed to explore the level of food insecurity and dietary diversity in all major ethnic groups of Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan.MethodsUsing the multistage random sampling, 535 households from five major ethnic groups residing in Karachi were included in the study. To measure food insecurity and dietary diversity (primary and secondary outcome, respectively), we used a FAO standardized questionnaire (version 3, 2007) that was translated first into local languages, piloted, and employed to collect information.ResultsSevere food insecurity levels had an inverse relationship with the household dietary diversity, which persisted even after adjusting for other variables (β=−0.31, 95% CI=−0.65, −0.07). There was no statistically significant association of age, marital status, or education level on food diversity. The most food secure cultural people were those whose ancestors had migrated from India and were Urdu speaking communities, while Sindhi speakers were the least food secure community.ConclusionIt is imperative to investigate more on the cultural causal factors leading to food insecurity to address the root causes of malnutrition and design new cultural-specific interventions that should be employed in large urban centers where different communities reside together.

Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among Households in Areka Town, Southern Ethiopia

Background : Food insecurity among poor urban households in low income settings is a major public health concern. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of food insecurity and associated factors among households in Areka town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total random sample of 309 urban households in Areka town, Southern Ethiopia, from March to April, 2015. Data was gathered using an interviewer administered and pre-tested structured questionnaire. The data was entered into Epi Info version 3.5.3 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between independent and outcome variable. Multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with household food insecurity after controlling possible confounders and statistical significance set at p- value &lt; 0.05. Result: The magnitude of household food insecurity was 69.6 % (95% CI = 64.1, 75.2). Household food insecurity severity status was categorized as mild for34.3%, (95% CI = (29.4, 39.8)], moderate for31.7%, (95% CI = (26.1, 37.0)], and severe for 3.6%, (95% CI = (1.9, 5.8)] households respectively. Being a poor household [(AOR = 3.13, 95% CI = ( 1.42, 6.91)], lack of formal education among household heads [(AOR = 4.70, 95% CI = (1.82, 12.12) ] , households whose monthly food expenditure was &lt;500 ETB [ (AOR =6.9 , 95% CI =1.45, 32.9)] and between 500- 1500 ETB [ (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI =1.48, 4.91)] , and household head’s age ≥ 50 years [(AOR = 2.11, 95% CI = (1.12, 3.95)] were significantly associated with urban household food insecurity. Conclusion: The prevalence of urban household food insecurity was high in the study setting. The older age group and lack of formal education by head of the household, household poverty and less monthly household expenditure for food consumption was factors that significantly contributed to urban food insecurity. Therefore, an integrated feasible urban food security interventions should be emphasized at all levels by all relevant stakeholders targeting the urban poor households to ensure urban household food security. Keywords : Areka town, Southern Ethiopia, Household Food insecurity. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/88-02 Publication date: April 30 th 2021

Urban household food insecurity and cash transfers in Bulawayo townships, Zimbabwe

Urban household food insecurity is highly prevalent in Zimbabwe due to the persisting poor macro-economic environment, droughts, HIV and AIDS and climate change. This paper examines the effectivene...

Debunking the effectiveness of in-kind transfers in alleviating urban household food insecurity in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Urban household food insecurity has become a widespread dilemma in Zimbabwe. The paper investigates the extent to which various in-kind transfer programmes in two Bulawayo townships Zimbabwe, have attempted to enhance access to adequate food by poor urbanites. It also pays attention to the influence of in-kind transfers on food consumption behaviours in two ways: first, in relation to the number of meals consumed and second, in increasing quantities of food consumed by poor households. Data was collected through 10 key informant interviews, 50 semi-structured in-depth interviews and 237 questionnaires. Contrary to popular beliefs, we find that in-kind transfer programmes in the two townships have not meaningfully alleviated household food insecurity due to the distribution of incomplete food baskets, distances to distribution points, targeting systems, quantities of food items received and irregular distributions. We recommend the allocation of more resources for alleviating urban poverty and food insecurity.

An analysis of the indicators affecting urban household food insecurity in the informal settlement area of the Cape Town Metropole

Households in the informal settlement areas of the Cape Town Metropole face different challenges in terms of poverty and food security. Challenges are determined by the social and economic circumstances these households subside in. Many initiatives by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture was initiated to aid households in these areas. Some of the initiatives include the implementation of urban household and community food gardens assisted by the Department’s extension division. A thorough analysis of these indicators is imperative to initiate development planning. The results showed that 26.1% of household heads completed school, while 33.8% did not reach secondary school (grade 7). The average household size is 4.29 persons in the study area. The average age of household head was 48 and 50.64 years for non-farmer groups and urban farming households respectively. The average monthly income per household was R3543.22. The main source of income generated throughout the year derived from formal salaries or wages (46.4%), while child support grants and pension funds also contributed towards income. Expenditure factors accounts for 20.4% of the variance of factors affecting food security. The expenditure component is comprised by the share of food expenditure on income, the total value of food consumed and the household diet diversity score. The socio-economic indicators component forms the second largest component group (15.15%), while the components with a lesser effect include a food security component, an urban farming component and a geographical and market component. Keywords: Urban Agriculture, household gardens, community gardens, food security, household size, age, gender, education level, migrant workers, household income

Household food insecurity and associated factors among households in Wolaita Sodo town, 2015

BackgroundCulturally, food insecurity is expected in rural households. But it is considerable in urban setting due to many factors. Yet this has been hardly recognized in the study area. Therefore, this study intended to assess the level of household food insecurity and associated factors among households in Wolaita Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia, 2015.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Wolaita Sodo town. Overall, 609 households were selected from the town by multistage sampling. Data were collected using pretested and structured tool through interviewing household heads. Household food insecurity access was assessed with Household Food Insecurity Access Scale questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 statistical package. All descriptive statistics were performed by univariate analysis. Bivariate analyses were also performed to identify crude predictors of household food insecurity, and finally, multivariable logistic regression was used to develop final model indicating the predictors of outcome variable.ResultsBased on the findings of this study, about 37.6% households were food insecure. Of those households, 10.8% were mildly food insecure, 23.2 and 3.6% households were moderately and severely food insecure, respectively. Factors associated with household food insecurity were marital status (single household head) (AOR 4.06 at 95% CI 1.24, 13.27), greater than two dependent members (AOR 3.03 at 95% CI 1.38, 6.63), households headed with daily laborers (AOR 16.0 at 95% CI 4.57, 56.03), higher monthly income (AOR 0.013, at 95% CI 0.004, 0.05) and low monthly food expenditure (AOR 10.56 at 95% CI 2.61, 42.71) in the study area.ConclusionsHousehold food insecurity was high in the study area compared to urban national level. Being single household head, having more than two dependent members in the household, daily laborers of household head and low monthly food outlay had statistically significant relationship with household food insecurity in negative direction. On the other hand, higher monthly income was significantly associated variable with household food insecurity in affirmative track. So, findings appoint as attention needed on stabilization of food markets, designing urban household food insecurity strategies and creating job opportunities to improve household food security in the setting.

Household Food Security and Hunger in Rural and Urban Communities in the Free State Province, South Africa

Household food security impacts heavily on quality of life. We determined factors associated with food insecurity in 886 households in rural and urban Free State Province, South Africa. Significantly more urban than rural households reported current food shortage (81% and 47%, respectively). Predictors of food security included vegetable production in rural areas and keeping food for future use in urban households. Microwave oven ownership was negatively associated with food insecurity in urban households and using a primus or paraffin stove positively associated with food insecurity in rural households. Interventions to improve food availability and access should be emphasized.

English

It is estimated that 25% of Zimbabwe’s population lives in urban areas (CSO, 2002), 70% below the poverty line, and a million in the city of Gweru. The worsening macroeconomic situation in 2008 resulted in urban food insecurity. Households adopted different survival strategies, including the intensification of urban agriculture. In an effort to assess the extent to which urban household food insecurity is mitigated by UA activities, a comparative analysis between households practicing and not practicing UA was done in Gweru in 2009. Household size as well as household head sex, age and employment status were found to affect household UA practice. Results indicated that UA practicing households were food-secure than non-practicing households. Household size, UA participation, household income, household head sex, maize meal price affected household food expenditure. Household head sex, UA participation, household head age and informal activities carried out by household members significantly affected urban household food security. The study concluded that there are synergies that exist between UA and urban household food security. Key words: Urban agriculture, household food security, Gweru.

Vulnerability in crisis: urban household food insecurity in Epworth, Harare, Zimbabwe

Much of the contemporary literature on food security has focused on the rural sector. However, within the current context of high demographic growth, rapid urbanization and rising urban poverty which characterizes much of Sub-Saharan Africa, urban food insecurity cannot continue to be ignored. This study therefore examines the vulnerability of poor households to food insecurity in the challenging urban environment of Harare in Zimbabwe, an acute example of a city (and country) ‘in crisis’. Findings from qualitative and quantitative research demonstrate severe food insecurity characterized by critical food shortages and the consumption of narrower diets among poor households in the city. Household vulnerability to food insecurity stemmed from a range of factors, including: high levels of unemployment and poverty; high dependency ratios; low levels of house ownership; hyperinflation; skyrocketing food prices; and the general collapse of the formal food system. Vulnerability to food insecurity was further exacerbated by a prolonged adverse socio-political climate that undermined national economic recovery and reduced the livelihood opportunities available to the urban poor. The paper concludes that in Harare, as in most urban areas of the developing world, the urban poor have become highly vulnerable to food insecurity.

The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and an Index-Member Dietary Diversity Score Contribute Valid and Complementary Information on Household Food Insecurity in an Urban West-African Setting ,

The number of urban poor is increasing quickly in West Africa, yet food security early warning systems still do not include urban areas. One reason is the lack of appropriate and internationally agreed-upon indicators to measure urban household food insecurity. Our objective was to assess the performance of the household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS) and an index-member’s dietary diversity score (IDDS) to approximate the adequacy of urban households’ diets. A survey was performed on a random cluster sample of 1056 households in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Data on HFIAS and IDDS and 2 nonconsecutive household quantitative 24-h recalls were collected twice, in June-July and in November-December 2007. Diet adequacy was assessed through the household’s mean adequacy ratio (MAR) using energy and 11 micronutrients. Structural equation modeling was used to quantify the association of each candidate indicator with the MAR and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess their targeting performance in predicting low or high MAR. HFIAS was negatively associated with the MAR [path coefficient (P) = −7.95 × 10−3 ± 1.45 × 10−3; P < 0.001], whereas IDDS was positively associated with it (P = 5.19 × 10−2 ± 1.27 × 10−2; P < 0.001). Areas under the ROC curves ranged from 0.585 to 0.661 for HFIAS and from 0.536 to 0.629 for IDDS. In conclusion, HFIAS and IDDS performed well in approximating adequacy of urban households’ diets. They are informative indicators about urban food insecurity, promising for evaluation and monitoring but not for household targeting given their insufficient predictive power.

Structure and properties of urban household food demand in Nairobi, Kenya: implications for urban food security

Urban household food insecurity continues to be a major problem in many urban households of Sub-Saharan Africa. The ineffectiveness of policies addressing the problem has hinged in particular on the paucity of information about consumption patterns under changing economic conditions. Elasticities of food demand were estimated through the Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) and inferences about access to food were drawn. Shifts in consumption were evident when changes occurred in income, prices and household demography. As the urban poor are sensitive to variation in food prices and income, they should be cushioned against their negative effects in order for their access to food to be enhanced and hence their food security improved. Dairy and dairy products and wheat and wheat products were identified as subsidy carriers which would improve the nutrition of the urban poor. These results provide guidance for the design of food security and nutrition strategies and programs at the micro and macro-economic levels.