Poverty, household food insecurity and nutrition: Coping strategies in an informal settlement in the Vaal Triangle, South Africa

Living free from hunger is a basic human right. However, some communities still experience household food insecurity. This systematic literature review explored different aspects of household food insecurity in Malaysia including vulnerable groups, prevalence, risk factors, coping strategies, and the consequences of food insecurity. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Thirty-three relevant articles were selected from scientific databases such as CINAHL, Pubmed and Google Scholar, scrutiny of reference lists, and personal communication with experts in the field. The prevalence of household food insecurity in Malaysia was unexpectedly reported as high, with affected groups including Orang Asli, low-income household/welfare-recipient households, university students, and the elderly. Demographic risk factors and socioeconomic characteristics included larger household, living in poverty, and low education. Coping strategies were practices to increase the accessibility of food in their households. Consequences of household food insecurity included psychological, dietary (macro- and micronutrient intakes), nutritional status, and health impacts. In conclusion, this review confirmed that household food insecurity in Malaysia continues to exist. Nevertheless, extensive and active investigations are encouraged to obtain a more holistic and comprehensive picture pertaining to household food security in Malaysia.

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Household food insecurity and coping strategies among pensioners in Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-018-6291-y ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Misgana Asesefa Kisi ◽

Dessalegn Tamiru ◽

Melese Sinaga Teshome ◽

Meseret Tamiru ◽

Garumma Tolu Feyissa

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Household Food ◽

South West ◽

And Coping ◽

South West Ethiopia ◽

Jimma Town

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Household food insecurity and coping strategies in Southern Ethiopia

Agriculture & Food Security ◽

10.1186/s40066-021-00296-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mesfin Melese ◽

Minyahel Tilahun ◽

Mebratu Alemu

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Water Conservation ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Food Shortage ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Household Level ◽

Household Food ◽

And Coping

Abstract Background Hunger and undernourishment are the main challenges of today’s world and 960 million people are hungry and undernourished. Food insecurity is an enduring, critical challenge in Ethiopia. Majority of the previous studies overlooked relevant determinant factors which affect the occurrence of food insecurity. This study aims to investigate household level food insecurity determinate factors and coping strategies used in the study area. Method Explanatory and descriptive research was designed to assess household food insecurity and coping strategies in Analemmo district of southern Ethiopia. A multi-stage purposive sampling technique was used for the purpose of this study. Two hundred households were selected systematically following list of food insecure households. Econometric models were employed using binary logit model. Household calorie acquisition was calculated to categorize households into food secure and food insecurely status. Results The survey result showed that 64% of the respondents were food insecure. Variables such as agro-ecology, age and education status, number of oxen, soil and water conservation, amount of credit, cultivated land size and receiving remittance were negatively but significantly (P < 0.05) affected households' food insecurity level. Female and young groups of the community were more food insecure as compared to others groups. The community was coping food shortage by relying on less preferred and less expensive food followed by participating in off-farm activities and borrowing food. Housesholds in the study area were utilizing less preferred foods to cope up food shortage and starvation. Conclusion Efforts of different developmental organizations should give due emphasis to household's wealth level, female-headed household and young and old-aged members of the community. Crop land production supported by modern agricultural technologies and information can reduce agricultural risks, and enhance productivity per unit land.

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The Early Food Insecurity Impacts of COVID-19

10.1101/2020.05.09.20096412 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Meredith T. Niles ◽

Farryl Bertmann ◽

Emily H. Belarmino ◽

Thomas Wentworth ◽

Erin Biehl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Food Access ◽

Population Level ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Individual Health ◽

Household Food ◽

Economic Barriers ◽

Security Module ◽

Food Insecure Households

Background COVID-19 has disrupted food access and impacted food insecurity, which is associated with numerous adverse individual and public health outcomes. Methods We conducted a statewide population-level survey in Vermont from March 29-April 12, 2020, during the beginning of a statewide stay-at-home order. We utilized the USDA six-item validated food security module to measure food insecurity before COVID-19 and since COVID-19. We assessed food insecurity prevalence and reported food access challenges, coping strategies, and perceived helpful interventions among food secure, consistently food insecure (pre-and post COVID-19), and newly food insecure (post COVID-19) respondents. Results Among 3,219 respondents, there was a 33% increase in household food insecurity since COVID-19 (p<0.001), with 35.6% of food insecure households classified as newly food insecure. Respondents experiencing a job loss were more likely to experience food insecurity (OR 3.43; 95% CI, 2.45-4.80). Multiple physical and economic barriers, as well as concerns related to food access during COVID-19, are reported, with respondents experiencing household food insecurity more likely to face access challenges (p<0.001). Significant differences in coping strategies were documented between respondents in newly food insecure vs. consistently insecure households. Conclusions Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in food insecurity in Vermont, accompanied by major food access barriers. These findings have important potential impacts on individual health, including mental health and malnutrition, as well as on future healthcare costs. We suggest proactive strategies to address food insecurity during this crisis.

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Addressing the interaction between food insecurity, depression risk and informal work: findings of a cross-sectional survey among informal women workers with young children in South Africa.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-24231/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Christiane Horwood ◽

Haskins Lyn ◽

Hinton Rachael ◽

Connolly Catherine ◽

Luthuli Silondile ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Women Workers ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Working Women ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Informal Work ◽

Depression Risk ◽

Household Food

Abstract Background: There is a high burden of depression globally, including in South Africa. Maternal depression is associated with poverty, unstable income, food insecurity, and lack of partner support, and may lead to poor outcomes for mothers and children. In South Africa one-third of working women are in informal work, which is associated with socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: A cross sectional survey explored work setting and conditions, food security and risk of depression among informal working women with young children (0-3years). Depression risk was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS) and Whooley score. Food insecurity was evaluated using USAID Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Data was analysed using SPSS and Stata. Results: Interviews were conducted with 265 informal women workers. Types of work included domestic work, home-based work, informal employees and own account workers, most of whom were informal traders. Most participants (149/265; 56.2%) earned between US$70-200 per month, but some participants (79/265; 29.8%) earned less than US$70 per month, and few earned >US$200 per month (37/265; 14.0%). Many participants experienced mild (38/267; 14.3%), moderate (72/265; 27.2%) or severe (43/265; 16%) food insecurity. Severe food insecurity was significantly higher among participants with the lowest income compared to those with the highest income (p= 0.027). Women who received financial support from the baby’s father were less likely to be food insecure (p=0.03). Using EPDS scores, 22/265 (8.3%) women were designated as being at risk of depression. This was similar among postnatal women and women with older children. Household food insecurity was significantly associated with depression risk (p<0.001).Conclusions: Informal women workers were shown to be vulnerable with low incomes and high rates of food insecurity, thus increasing the risk for poor maternal health. However, levels of depression risk were low compared to previous estimates in South Africa, suggesting that informal workers may have high levels of resilience. Interventions to improve social protection, access to health services, and support for safe childcare in the workplace could improve the health and wellbeing of these mothers and support them to care for their children.

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