scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF REFUGEES IN TURKEY USING FAO’S FOOD INSECURITY EXPERIENCE SCALE

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-529
Author(s):  
Abdulrazak Ghazal ◽  
Mehmet Bozoglu

Purpose of the study: This study aims to assess the food security status among Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Samsun, Turkey. In addition, to examine the association between refugees’ profiles and food security status. Methodology: We surveyed 252 households through face-to-face and semi-structured questionnaires; these tools were used in data collection between 2019-2020. FAO’s scale, descriptive analysis, and Chi-square test were conducted to achieve the objectives of this study. Main Findings: The findings indicated that the majority of refugees households, 60% experienced food insecurity. The results indicated that 30% of Syrian and 47% of Iraqi refugees were food security. Food security was significantly influenced by several socio-demographic (7 variables) and economic variables (9 variables). Applications of this study: This paper provides implications for policymakers and refugees. The current study recommends applying specific programs that could alleviate food insecurity among refugees. The policymakers should improve the economic status of refugees' households, especially the most vulnerable. Likewise, the policies in this field should be built by understanding the factors influencing food security. Novelty/Originality of this study: The current study is considered one of the pioneering and important studies in the food security field for refugees in Turkey. No studies have been conducted to assess food security for refugees. It seems to be important to review and re-evaluate the Turkish policies associated with refugees in Turkey.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ariya ◽  
Jalal Karimi ◽  
Somayeh Abolghasemi ◽  
Zeinab Hematdar ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh ◽  
...  

AbstractThe World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Corona pandemic as a public health emergency. This pandemic affects the main pillars of food security. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between food insecurity and the probability of hospitalization and the length of the recovery period after getting COVID-19. The cross-sectional study was performed through the census on COVID-19 patients diagnosed in Fasa, Iran. Informed consent, demographic, and food security questionnaire were completed over the phone. Then, all patients were followed up until recovery. Data were analyzed using SPSS26 and Chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression (P < 0.05). In this study, 219 COVID-19 patients [100 (54.7%) male and 119 (54.3%) female] with a mean age of 40.05 ± 15.54 years old were examined. Possibility of hospitalization and the length of the recovery period of more than one month was significantly longer in the food-insecure group (P = 0.001) and (P = 0.37), respectively, but the mean length of hospital stay in the two groups was not significantly different (P = 0.76). After adjusting for all confounding variables, people with food insecurity were 3.9 times more likely to be hospitalized than those with food security. Overall, we observed that food-insecure people were significantly more likely to be hospitalized than the secure group.


BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjan Mahdavi-Roshan ◽  
Azin Vakilpour ◽  
Seyed Mehdi Mousavi ◽  
Asieh Ashouri

Abstract Background Dietary diversity score (DDS) is an indicator for assessing nutritional adequacy. Food security is another important measure in nutrition field which can be associated with several cardiovascular risk factors. Considering the importance of nutrition in heart failure (HF) patients, this study was designed to evaluate the DDS and food security of patients with HF. Methods A total of 200 HF patients were enrolled. DDS was evaluated using valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire and was calculated by scoring food intakes as 5 main groups. Household food insecurity access scale was applied to assess food security status. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests and multiple logistic regression models. Results The mean age of patients was 65 (standard deviation: 12) years and 59% of patients were male. Median of DDS was 1.96 (range: 0.29 to 6.12). Adjusted odds of greater DDS (> = median of 2) was 2.58 times higher for patients without hypertension than for patients with hypertension (95%CI: 1.31–5.08, P = 0.006). Also, odds of greater DDS were more in ex-smokers’ patients when compared to non-smokers (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.70, 95%CI: 1.27–5.75, P = 0.010), patients with supplement use (AOR: 2.42, 95%CI: 1.16–5.05, P = 0.019), patients with lower total cholesterol level (AOR: 1.01, 95%CI: 1.00–1.02, P = 0.051), and patients with higher ejection fraction (AOR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.00–1.05, with borderline. P = 0.073). About 57% of patients had experienced degrees of food insecurity as mild (26%), moderate (16%) and severe (15%). On the other hand, women (AOR: 1.90, 95%CI: 0.90–3.71, with borderline P = 0.061) and patients with middle (AOR: 3.48, 95%CI: 1.79–6.76, P < 0.001) or high (AOR: 20.32, 95%CI: 2.56–161.19, P = 0.004) socio-economic status were more likely to be food secure or mild insecure. Also, no relation between DDS and food security was found (r = − 0.08, P = 0.262). Conclusion This study found that HF patients had a low DDS and more than half of the patients were food insecure to some extents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Ebadi ◽  
Davod Ahmadi ◽  
Ibrahim Sirkeci ◽  
Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez

International remittances to developing countries attract increasing attention because of their rise in volume and their impact on the recipient countries. Receiving remittances from outside the country has become a household coping strategy that might reduce poverty, alleviate hunger, promote better diets and increase productive investments. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the link between receiving remittances and the food security status in the Global South countries. This is the first study that examines the association between food security and receiving remittances by using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) for individuals in the Global South. Data were obtained from the 2017 Gallup World Poll (GWP), which interviewed face-to-face 68,463 individuals in more than 60 countries. We have found a significant association between receiving remittances and food security. In the unadjusted logistics regression, irrespective of geography, severe food insecurity was significantly related to not receiving remittances (OR=1.532; P= 0.000). Although receiving remittances seems to positively affect the food security status of individuals in the GS, the association might not apply to all countries in the analyzed sample.


Author(s):  
Afsaneh Rajizadeh ◽  
Maryam Tavakoli ◽  
Mahmoud Hajipour ◽  
Maryam Rabiey-Faradonbeh ◽  
Amin Salehi-Abargouei ◽  
...  

Background: Food security status is an important indicator for measuring the level of individuals' access to sufficient and nutritious food. This study was conducted to investigating the food security status in pregnant women in Yazd, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 351 pregnant women with gestational age of 24 to 32 weeks were randomly selected. Food security status was measured by household food insecurity access scale (HAFIS) questionnaire. Demographic information was extracted from the health records of mothers. The data were analyzed using logistic regression test. Results: The mean age of studied women was 27.84 ± 5.46 years and the mean of their food security score was 3.45 ± 4.40. Food secure, marginal insecurity, and severe insecurity were observed in 45.6, 39, and 15.4 percent of participants, respectively. Socioeconomic status (SES) and non-Persian ethnicity had a significant relationship (P = 0.40) with food insecurity. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of severe food insecurity in the low SES was 13 times higher than its odds in the high SES. The odds ratio of severe food insecurity for non-Persian was also 6 times higher than its odds for Persian people. Conclusion: More than half of the pregnant women were in the mild to severe range of food insecurity and the prevalence of this situation was higher in women with low social economic status and non-native groups.


2018 ◽  
Vol 159 (50) ◽  
pp. 2136-2143
Author(s):  
Regina Molnár ◽  
Zoltán Sági ◽  
Zsuzsanna Fejes ◽  
Kálmán Törőcsik ◽  
Béla Köves ◽  
...  

Abstract: Introduction: Nowadays doctor–patient consultation is not limited to personal appointments, there are new technical possibilities to keep contact. Aim: The aim of our study was to examine the way in which the doctor and patient interact with each other between two personal consultations and how the patients would like to reach their physicians when needed. Method: Questionnaire survey was done among waiting patients in an outpatient clinic in Budapest. The questionnaire was based on the following groups of questions: habits of visiting a doctor, the methods of communication with a specialist, use of technical tools and socio-demographic data. Statistical analysis: Simple descriptive analysis, chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used. Results: The participants (260 persons) were in 36.2% male and in 63.8% female. One out of four patients did not contact the doctor between two personal consultations. The rest of the patients contacted the nurse by phone or their doctors on their mobile even as per different socio-demographic groups but without a significant difference in between those. Two thirds of the patients would like to have more face to face appointments with their doctor, half of them would like to keep contact by e-mail, and one out of three would call the doctor on mobile phone as far as possible. More men need personal consultations dominantly and in smaller proportion divorced, widowed and patients with vocational education. Half of the patients would like to e-mail their doctor, especially the younger and higher educated people. Conclusion: Patients’ consultation preferences differ by socio-demographic groups. Reestablishing conditions by taking all of our results into account, the efficiency of outpatient-clinics could be increased. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(50): 2136–2143.


Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Hazael Andrew ◽  
Maureen Berner

Abstract The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past studies have not examined how the food security status of college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity; determine the proportion of students experiencing a change in food security status; and identify characteristics associated with changes in food security status from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess food security status during the spring 2020 semester both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the types of changes in food security status experienced by students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20% worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an improvement or worsening of food security status category from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are needed.


2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (suppl) ◽  
pp. 27s-37s ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Melgar-Quinonez ◽  
Michelle Hackett

Measuring household food insecurity represents a challenge due to the complexity and wide array of factors associated with this phenomenon. For over one decade, researchers and agencies throughout the world have been using and assessing the validity of variations of the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Supplemental Module. Thanks to numerous studies of diverse design, size, and purpose, the Household Food Security Supplemental Module has shown its suitability to directly evaluate the perceptions of individuals on their food security status. In addition, challenges and limitations are becoming clearer and new research questions are emerging as the process advances. The purpose of this article is to describe the development, validation procedures, and use of the Household Food Security Supplemental Module in very diverse settings. The most common Household Food Security Supplemental Module related studies have been conducted using criterion validity, Rasch modeling and Cronbach-Alpha Coefficient. It is critical that researchers, policy makers, governmental and non-governmental agencies intensify their efforts to further develop tools that provide valid and reliable measures of food security in diverse population groups. Additional work is needed to synthesize a universally applicable tool able to capture the global human phenomenon of food insecurity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam John Munyogwa ◽  
Kaloli Sayi Ntalima ◽  
Secilia Ng’weshemi Kapalata

Abstract Background Obesity at the workplace has been associated with symptoms of lower self-esteem, increased individual and employer healthcare costs, increased absenteeism and presenteeism and reduced productivity. Therefore, this study was designed to study the prevalence and correlates of central obesity among formal sector employees in Dodoma City. Methods Study design was a cross-sectional survey conducted from March to June, 2019. Participants were employees from formal sector employment defined as those paid regular monthly wage and with either a secured permanent or temporary contract. Simple random sampling was used to select four out of fifteen large buildings hosting various establishments. Respondents were obtained conveniently and interviewed face to face. Central obesity was defined as a waist circumference greater than 102 cm for males and greater than 88 cm for females. Chi-square test was conducted to assess the differences among the groups. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were fitted to identify the correlates of central obesity. Results A total of 392 respondents (98% response rate) agreed and participated in the study. The overall prevalence of central obesity was found to be 41.8% (164/392). The prevalence of central obesity was significantly higher among females (67.4% p < 0.001), respondents aged ≥51 years (60%, p = < 0.001), administrators (55.1% p = < 0.05), respondents with salary of > 1,000,000 Tanzanian Shilling (TSh.) per month (54.4%, p = < 0.05), respondents who eat homemade meals at the workplace (64.2%, p = < 0.05) and respondents with hypertension (62.5%, p = < 0.05). Correlates of central obesity were found to be female sex (AOR = 9.53; 95% CI: 5.49, 16.78), increased age, eating homemade meals at the workplace (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.04, 4.19) and hypertension (AOR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.41, 6.91). Conclusions The present study revealed high prevalence of central obesity among formal sector employees in Dodoma City. Scholars and stakeholders are urged to generate more evidences and design appropriate interventions to curb the situation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilana G Raskind ◽  
Regine Haardörfer ◽  
Carla J Berg

AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether psychosocial health mediates the association between food insecurity and grade point average (GPA) among college and university students.DesignData for the present study are from a longitudinal cohort study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the proposed mediation hypothesis. Food insecurity was measured using the US Department of Agriculture’s Six-Item Short Form. Psychosocial health was operationalized as a latent factor with three indicators: depression, anxiety and hope. Validated scales were used to measure each indicator. GPA was self-reported.SettingSeven colleges and universities in Georgia, USA.ParticipantsStudents aged 18–25 years were recruited via email and surveyed every four months over a two-year period (analytic n 2377).ResultsApproximately 29 % of students were food insecure. In the final SEM, food insecurity was associated (standardized β, se) with poorer psychosocial health (0·22, 0·03, P<0·0001) and poorer psychosocial health was associated with a lower GPA (−0·21, 0·03, P<0·0001). The indirect effect of food security status on GPA, as mediated by psychosocial health, was significant (−0·05, 0·01, P<0·0001) and accounted for 73 % of the total effect. After accounting for psychosocial health, the direct effect of food security status on GPA was not significant (−0·02, 0·02, P=0·43).ConclusionsPsychosocial health may be an important mechanism through which food insecurity affects academic performance among college and university students. Multicomponent interventions that address immediate food security needs as well as co-occurring mental health and academic concerns are needed to ensure student success.


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