scholarly journals Developing a Locally Appropriate Tool for Measuring Food Insecurity in Cambodia (OR02-07-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Gosdin ◽  
Diane Baik ◽  
Kate Reinsma ◽  
David Raminashvili ◽  
Hen Heang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) is widely used though it has limited cross-cultural applicability. Among families with underweight children in three Cambodian districts, the HFIAS-derived prevalence of moderate/severe food insecurity was about 45%, though interviewers reported that caregivers have difficulty understanding the questions.This study seeks to develop a locally appropriate tool for measuring household food security in Cambodia. Methods Caregivers of children ages 6–24 months were screened using the Household Hunger Scale. Following Coping Strategies Index (CSI) guidance, three focus group discussions (FGD) were held with 25 food insecure caregivers from 10 villages. Participants developed a list of coping strategies in response to the question, “What do you do when you do not have enough food, and do not have enough money to buy food?” By consensus, participants weighted coping strategies in order of increasing severity. Strategies were assessed for inclusion using CSI criteria. The research and local teams combined the three lists into a single tool maintaining much of the local vocabulary. Results FGD 1 identified 16 coping strategies: one was excluded because it could not be done readily, and two were combined. FGD 2 identified 16: one was excluded because it was not repeatable, and four were combined into two. FGD 3 identified 19: six were combined into three. Seven strategies were identified in all three FGDs and seven were identified in two FGDs. Four strategies were identified in only one FGD. The resulting index is comprised of 18 coping strategies. Three strategies were weighted least severe (1). Example: “Eat rice without fish or meat.” Seven were weighted somewhat severe (2). Example: “Make food last longer by eating smaller portions and keeping it for longer than intended.” Five were weighted as more severe (3). Example: “Sell or consume seed stock held for next season.” Three strategies were weighted as most severe (4). Example: “Borrow rice or money from a lender or employer with high interest.” Conclusions Context-specific coping strategies may be useful in measuring food security in Cambodia. Future research is needed to examine the validity of this tool in comparison to established food insecurity experiences scales. Funding Sources World Vision Hong Kong. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 468-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iddrisu Yahaya ◽  
Krishna P. Pokharel ◽  
Abdul-Fatahi Alidu ◽  
Fred Amofa Yamoah

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of participation in sustainable agricultural intensification practices (SAIPs) on household food security status in Northwestern Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study utilised the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) indicator for the measurement of food access data from 168 households in ten communities from the Northwestern region of Ghana for the analyses. Households were categorised into participating households (treatment) and non-participating households (control). The endogenous treatment effects model was employed to evaluate the impact of participation in SAIPs training on food insecurity access scale. Findings The results show that participation in SAIPs training lowers, on average, the household food insecurity access by 2.95 points, approximately an 11 per cent reduction in HFIAS score. Other significant factors found to influence household food insecurity access scale are age of household head, experience in farming, total acres owned by household, income level of the household and occupation of the head of the household. Research limitations/implications The training programme of participation in SAIPs has massive implications for food security, rural economy and farmers’ livelihoods. However, due to the unique conditions prevailing in Northwestern Ghana, the findings of this research are limited in terms of their generalisability. Future research direction in the area of SAIPs trainings and impact study replications in all qualifying rural food production areas in Ghana, which are susceptible to household food insecurity, will provide a national picture of the efficacy of SAIPs trainings on household food insecurity. Practical implications A proven means to decrease natural resource degradation, increase crops yields, and increase subsistence farmers’ income, and food security is an important intervention to resolve the seasonal food shortage, which last for five months in a typical year for agro-food-dependent farming communities in Northwestern Ghana. Social implications Ensuring household food security improvement and environmental sustainability will help improve living standards of food producers and reduce the adverse social challenges associated with food insecure communities such as health problems due to food deficiencies, social inequalities, environmental pollution and natural resource degradation in Northwestern Ghana. Originality/value The contribution of this paper is the novel thought and approach to examine the impact of the SAIPs trainings on household food security in Northwestern Ghana using the household food insecurity access scale indicator. The study also examined the factors that affect household food security using the endogenous treatment model, which also evaluates the impact of the training programme on the outcome variable.


Author(s):  
Simbarashe Ndhleve ◽  
Clarah Dapira ◽  
Hlekani Muchazotida Kabiti ◽  
Zibongiwe Mpongwana ◽  
Elphina Nomabandla Cishe ◽  
...  

This study used a survey questionnaire to investigate the state and determinants of household food security in South Africa and Botswana. In South Africa, 1557 households in two District Municipalities within Eastern Cape Province participated in the study. In Botswana, data was collected from 506 in Southern Kanye, southeast District, and Gaborone households. The paper employed Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and Prevalence to investigate the state food security across the sample population. The Household Food Insecurity Access Prevalence was used to determine the characteristics of and changes in household food insecurity of the sample households. The linear and ordinal regression analyses were carried out to outline determinants of food insecurity in the region. Findings emanating from the current study show a high prevalence of food insecurity in both countries. Meanwhile, geographical location, household size, and socio-economic infrastructure emerged as common determinants of food security for Botswana and South Africa. The paper recommends state-mediated intervention to improve access to basic socio-economic infrastructure and address unemployment rates in both countries as key areas to improve food security status.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Seyfe Fikre

Worrying about reduction of food insecurity directly or indirectly linked with the livelihood strategy. Food security of the household is a reply of available livelihood strategies. The aim of the study was to examine rural livelihood strategies and its effect on food security. This study examined the effect of household livelihood on food security in Angolela and Tera District by taking randomly selected sample of 256 household and multi-nominal probit regression was used. The household food security was measured by Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The average HFIAS score was 5.5; lower score was recorded in farming livelihood activities and higher score was recorded in non-farm activities. Finding shows that relatively those respondents who engaged in farming activities were more food secure than those confined to non-farm activities and mixed activities. On the other hand, those household confined only non-farm livelihood were more food insecure. This call for policies and strategies provide the incentive/intervention for the household who are using non-farm activities alone in ensuring their food security in rural area. Government policies need to designed and implemented comprehensive strategies in order to keep non-farm household food security.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-143
Author(s):  
Nurwulan Purnasari ◽  
Titisari Juwitangtyas ◽  
Iman Sabarisman

Household food security in Indonesia depends on many factors. This study aims to describe household food security during the Covid-19 pandemic in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY). This research was conducted using a questionnaire for taking data. This study showed that there was a difference in household food security between the pre-pandemic of Covid-19 and during the pandemic of Covid-19. The hunger scale di DIY at the pre-pandemic of Covid-19 was 6% and increased during the pandemic of Covid-19 to 11%. It is showed that the financial crisis because of Covid-19 also influenced at increasing household food insecurity. As far as future research is concerned, the impact of food insecurity in vulnerable groups within the studied communities needs to be determined.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (03) ◽  
pp. 526-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Kleve ◽  
Danielle Gallegos ◽  
Stephanie Ashby ◽  
Claire Palermo ◽  
Rebecca McKechnie

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the psychometric properties, validity and reliability of a newly developed measure of food insecurity, the Household Food and Nutrition Security Survey (HFNSS), among an Australian population.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingMetropolitan areas of Melbourne, Australia, identified as very high, high or medium vulnerability in the 2008 Vulnerability Assessment for Mortgage, Petrol and Inflation Risks and Expenditure index.SubjectsA convenience sample of 134 adults (117 females and fifteen males, aged over 18 years).ResultsRasch modelling and factor analysis identified four items for exclusion. The remaining items yielded excellent reliability among the current sample and assessed three underlying components: the adult experience of food insecurity (component one), initial/periodic changes to children’s food intakes (component two) and progressive/persistent decreases in children’s food intakes (component three). Compared with the widely used US Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey Module, the HFNSS identified a significantly higher proportion of food insecurity; this is likely due to the HFNSS’s identification of food insecurity due to reasons other than (and including) limited financial access.ConclusionsThe HFNSS may be a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of food insecurity among the Australian population and provides a means of assessing multiple barriers to food security beyond poor financial access (which has been identified as a limitation of other existing tools). Future research should explore the validity and reliability of the tool among a more representative sample, as well as specifically among vulnerable population subgroups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-136
Author(s):  
Mahwish Munawar ◽  
Xu Shiwei ◽  
Yu Wen ◽  
Muhammad Luqman

Globally rural households with less landholding, especially from developing countries, are more food insecure due to a lack of resources accessibility and fewer marketplaces. This study was planned to inspect the relationship between household food security and market approachability concerning Household Food Insecurity Access Index (HFIAS). For data collection, 200 farming households from five districts (Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan and Mianwali) from five agro-ecological zones of Punjab were selected as respondents. So, the results can be comprehensive and widespread at the provincial level.  Interviews with household heads were conducted with the help of a well-structured and pre-tested interview questionnaire. Food security was calculated with the help of the household food insecurity access score, which calculates food intake for one month and indicates the level of food security based on food consumption during the last thirty days. According to research findings of 46 percent are severely food insecure, and the main reason behind so much food insecurity is rising food prices, increasing fuel prices, transportation costs, lack of agricultural input, and very few marketplaces. Binary logistic regression shows that landholding, earning hands in family, and the distance of farm from the market have a significant effect on the food security status of the family. As the distance of farm from market place increases labour costs, transportation costs, and fuel charges that affect household livelihood inversely. The results suggest that local food security can be enhanced by creating off-farm employment opportunities, improved transportation facilities, and road infrastructure.


Author(s):  
Chica Riska Ashari ◽  
Ali Khomsan ◽  
Yayuk Farida Baliwati

ABSTRACT Many indicators are used to measure food security. The most commonly used measurements are food recall, anthropometric indicators or health data, which have also been used in several studies. However, all these indicators have weaknesses such as data collection and analysis that are impractical and relatively expensive to implement. For this reason, a method that is easier, simpler, and cheaper to implement is needed. This study aims to analyze the validation of measures of food security with the HFIAS method to Maxwell's method in urban and rural households in South Sulawesi. This study used a cross sectional design. Sampling using purposive sampling with a sample size of 170 households. The data analysis performed is the gamma correlation test. The results showed that the results of the gamma correlation between the level of household food security using the HFIAS method for the Maxwell method obtained p = 0.000 with a value of r = 0.408. The conclusion of the study is that the HFIAS method can be used as a method of measuring food security because it is easier and more practical. Keywords: methods, food insecurity, household, food security, validation   ABSTRAK Banyak indikator yang digunakan untuk mengukur ketahanan pangan. Pengukuran yang paling sering digunakan yaitu recall pangan, indikator antropometri atau data kesehatan, yang juga telah digunakan dalam beberapa studi. Namun, semua indikator tersebut memiliki kelemahan seperti pengumpulan dan analisis data yang tidak praktis dan relatif mahal untuk diimplementasikan. Untuk itu, diperlukan metode yang lebih mudah, sederhana, dan lebih murah untuk diterapkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis validasi ukuran ketahanan pangan dengan metode HFIAS terhadap metode Maxwell pada rumah tangga perkotaan dan perdesaan di Sulawesi Selatan. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain cross sectional. Penarikan sampel menggunakan purposive sampling dengan besar sampel 170 rumah tangga. Analisis data yang dilakukan adalah uji korelasi gamma. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa hasil korelasi gamma antara tingkat ketahanan pangan rumah tangga menggunakan metode HFIAS terhadap metode Maxwell diperoleh p=0.000 dengan nilai r=0.408. Kesimpulan dari penelitian bahwa metode HFIAS dapat digunakan sebagai metode pengukuran ketahanan pangan karena lebih mudah dan lebih praktis. [Penel Gizi Makan 2019, 42(1):11-20] Kata kunci: metode, rawan pangan, rumah tangga, tahan pangan, validasi


2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 731
Author(s):  
Derib Woldeyohannes Benti ◽  
Worku Tuffa Biru ◽  
Workneh Kassa Tessema

Commercialization has been increasingly promoted for (agro) pastoral communities as an intervention to improve incomes and food access. Using households from rural Afar, this study examines the food security effects of the livestock commercial orientations of (agro) pastoralists by employing propensity score matching (PSM) procedures. The results show that, despite the fact that the market production of (agro) pastoralists is stressed by a broad range of factors, identified as cultural, infrastructural, and production risks, participation in livestock sales significantly decreased the severity of food insecurity in both the household food insecurity access score (HFIAS), and the reduced coping strategy index (rCSI) measures. However, the results failed to find consistently significant effects via the per capita consumption expenditure measure, in which case, the ‘subsistence’ and ‘commercially’ oriented groups are alike. Yet, given the factors depressing market production, properly addressed with policy measures, the income generated from livestock sales improved the welfare of (agro) pastoralists, at least by some (the HFIAS and rCSI) of the livelihood indicators. This highlights the importance of combining market infrastructure investments with culturally sensitive policy measures in order to sustain the traditional livestock husbandry of (agro) pastoralists. Therefore, in order to sustainably improve the food security situations in (agro) pastoral areas, the promotion of market production through the broadening of market access for both sales and purchases is important.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 945
Author(s):  
Norhasmah Sulaiman ◽  
Heather Yeatman ◽  
Joanna Russell ◽  
Leh Shii Law

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.


BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milagro Escobar ◽  
Andrea DeCastro Mendez ◽  
Maria Romero Encinas ◽  
Sofia Villagomez ◽  
Janet M. Wojcicki

Abstract Background Food insecurity impacts nearly one-in-four Latinx households in the United States and has been exacerbated by the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We examined the impact of COVID-19 on household and child food security in three preexisting, longitudinal, Latinx urban cohorts in the San Francisco Bay Area (N = 375 households, 1875 individuals). Households were initially recruited during pregnancy and postpartum at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and UCSF Benioff prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this COVID-19 sub-study, participants responded to a 15-min telephonic interview. Participants answered 18 questions from the US Food Security Food Module (US HFSSM) and questions on types of food consumption, housing and employment status, and history of COVID-19 infection as per community or hospital-based testing. Food security and insecurity levels were compared with prior year metrics. Results We found low levels of household food security in Latinx families (by cohort: 29.2%; 34.2%; 60.0%) and child food security (56.9%, 54.1%, 78.0%) with differences between cohorts explained by self-reported levels of education and employment status. Food security levels were much lower than those reported previously in two cohorts where data had been recorded from prior years. Reported history of COVID-19 infection in households was 4.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI); 1.5–14.3%); 7.2% (95%CI, 3.6–13.9%) and 3.5% (95%CI, 1.7–7.2%) by cohort and was associated with food insecurity in the two larger cohorts (p = 0.03; p = 0.01 respectively). Conclusions Latinx families in the Bay Area with children are experiencing a sharp rise in food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 epidemic. Food insecurity, similar to other indices of poverty, is associated with increased risk for COVID-19 infection. Comprehensive interventions are needed to address food insecurity in Latinx populations and further studies are needed to better assess independent associations between household food insecurity, poor nutritional health and risk of COVID-19 infection.


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