scholarly journals Self-Reported Food Insecurity and Depression among the Older Population in South Africa

Psych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghose Bishwajit ◽  
Komlan Kota ◽  
Amos Buh ◽  
Sanni Yaya
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Multivariable Regression

South Africa represents one of the most rapidly aging countries in sub-Saharan Africa with a rising burden of age-related psychological morbidities. Despite having one of the highest human development scores in the region, the country faces serious poverty and food insecurity related challenges. Previous studies have shown a positive association between food insecurity and poor mental health among the adult population, however there is no systematic evidence on this association among the elderly population in an African setting. In the present study, we aimed to address this research gap by analyzing cross-sectional data (n = 931) on the over-50 population (>50 years) from the SAGE (Study on global AGEing and adult health) Well-Being of Older People Study (WOPS) of the World Health Organization, conducted between 2010 and 2013. The outcome variable was perceived depression and the explanatory variables included several sociodemographic factors including self-reported food insecurity. The independent associations between the outcome and explanatory variables were measured using multivariable regression analysis. Results showed that close to a quarter of the population (22.6%, 95% CI = 21.4, 24.7) reported having depression in the last 12 months, with the percentage being markedly higher among women (71.4%). In the multivariable regression analysis, self-reported food insecurity was found to be the strongest predictor of depression among both sexes. For instance, severe food insecurity increased the odds of depression by 4.805 [3.325, 7.911] times among men and by 4.115 [2.030, 8.341] times among women. Based on the present findings, it is suggested that national food security programs focus on promoting food security among the elderly population in an effort to improve their mental health status. Nonetheless, the data were cross-sectional and the associations can’t imply causality.

scholarly journals Enhancing Social Support System for Improving Food Security Among the Elderly Headed Household in Communal Areas of Zimbabwe

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kefasi Nyikahadzoi ◽  
Byron Zamasiya ◽  
George Alex Muchinako ◽  
Charles Dziro
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Communal Areas ◽  
Food Insecurity Access

The study sought to establish factors that contribute towards food security among elderly headed households and then seek ways of enhancing them. The study was conducted in Mudzi District in Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe. Data was collected from wards 11, 12 and 16. The study used cross sectional household data collected using a structured questionnaire. Two measures of food security are used; namely household food insecurity access score and household dietary diversity score. The results showed that food insecurity access score was statistically higher for elderly headed household when compared to those headed by younger people. The study revealed that social capital, remittances, and off farm income generating projects can increase the elderly headed household’s likelihood of being food secure. The study also showed that public assistance is not making a positive contribution towards food security of elderly headed household. This paper argues that it is important for government and civil society to promote social capital and support channels of remittances to elderly headed households in communal areas.

scholarly journals Elderly Perception of Distance to the Grocery Store as a Reason for Feeling Food Insecurity—Can Food Policy Limit This?

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3191
Author(s):  
Robert Gajda ◽  
Marzena Jeżewska-Zychowicz
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Purchase

The sense of food insecurity in a group of elderly people may be determined by the perception of distance to food outlets. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the perception of food insecurity by the elderly and their perception of the distance between the places of residence and food purchase. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was carried out in 2019–2020 amongst 762 Polish elderly living in Świętokrzyskie and Śląskie Voivodeship. The assessment of the relationships between the perceived food insecurity due to living too far away from the grocery shops and socio-demographic features was performed using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), chi-square tests, and Phi and Cramér’s V coefficients. Too great a distance to the place of food purchase was the cause of a lack of a sense of food security in 20.5% of the study sample, especially in men, people aged 75 and more, people living in a rural environment and people living alone. People reporting a lack of food due to the distance to the place of purchase showed socio-demographic characteristics similar to those of people declaring a lack of a sense of food security. Reduced food consumption due to the distance from the place of sale, including of fish (24.8%), some fruits (18.9%) and vegetables (15.4%) and beef (17.3%), may contribute to the deterioration of the diet and, as a result, health conditions. Including access to places of the sale of food in food policy as a factor contributing to ensuring the food security of older people can help to maintain a better quality of life and avoid exclusion. Especially in a situation of limited independence, food insecurity in elders due to causes other than financial limitations should be a focus of food policy.

scholarly journals Caregivers’ Knowledge and Food Accessibility Contributes to Childhood Malnutrition: A Case Study of Dora Nginza Hospital, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10691
Author(s):  
Pamela Clarke ◽  
Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma ◽  
Ayuk Betrand Tambe ◽  
Liana Steenkamp ◽  
Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
The Body ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Household Food

Amongst the problems facing South Africa today are malnutrition and food insecurity, and there is a need for interventions and innovative strategies to address these. The aim of the study was to determine the contribution of caregivers’ knowledge of nutrition and household food security among children aged 0 to 60 months. A cross-sectional study design was applied using a quantitative approach. A convenience sample (n = 184) of caregiver–child pairs (for children 0 to 60 months) from the Dora Nginza Hospital Paediatric Outpatient Department was used. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect data on socio-economic factors, health status, household food security, and caregivers’ knowledge. In addition, interviews were conducted, and anthropometric measurements of children were taken to determine their nutritional status. The results indicate that most caregivers were female, and more than half completed high school, yet almost 75% were unemployed. Most of the caregivers (58.2%) were either overweight or obese. The results also show that only 33.2% of households were food secure, 29.3% were at risk of hunger, and 37.5% experienced hunger. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children in the study was high. A significant, slightly positive correlation was found between the body mass index of the caregiver and height for age. Poor socio-economic status and food inaccessibility were identified as possible underlying contributing factors to malnutrition, contributing to food insecurity and therefore poor dietary intake.

scholarly journals Longitudinal effects of poverty on men’s perpetration of partner violence in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Hatcher ◽  
Torsten Neilands ◽  
Dumisani Rebombo ◽  
Sheri Weiser ◽  
Nicola Christofides
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Dynamic Panel ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urban Settlement ◽  
Longitudinal Effects ◽  
Ipv Perpetration ◽  
Over Time

Introduction: Although poverty is often viewed as a driver of intimate partner violence (IPV), few studies have examined how changes in poverty influence men’s IPV perpetration over time. One sensitive marker of poverty is food security, or the ability of households to obtain adequate nutrition. The influence of food security has been associated with IPV in cross-sectional studies, but here we examine whether a causal relationship exists.Methods: We followed a cohort of 2,479 men living in a peri-urban settlement near Johannesburg, South Africa during the period of February 2016-August 2018. Using self-completed audio-assisted questionnaires, men responded at baseline (T0), 12 months later (T1), and 24 months later (T2). Questions about current food security, household type, childhood conditions, and past-year IPV perpetration were asked. We used cross-lagged dynamic panel modeling to assess whether food insecurity changes influenced men’s IPV perpetration over time.Results: A large proportion of men (46.9%) reported perpetrating IPV at baseline, but this proportion reduced over time (39.2% and 26.5% reported IPV at midline and endline, respectively). Less than half (41.4%) of participants reported food insecurity at T0, and this stayed consistent at T1 and T2. In cross-sectional bivariate analysis, food insecurity was higher among those men perpetrating IPV than among those who used no violence at all three time-points. In a cross-lagged dynamic panel model, food insecurity predicted men’s use of IPV one year later. Food insecurity was associated with a small, but significant, longitudinal impact on men’s IPV use (standardized coefficient=0.08, p=0.035) and the model fit indices were strong (RMSEA=0.027, CFI=0.993). This longitudinal association between food insecurity and IPV perpetration persisted in a final model controlling for housing status, age at baseline, and childhood exposure to abuse (coef=0.10, p=0.022) that had strong fit (RMSEA=0.015, CFI=0.998). In a separate model, IPV perpetration did not predict later food security, suggesting a causal relationship from poverty to IPV perpetration.Conclusions: Food insecurity and housing, as distinct markers of poverty, had small but persistent longitudinal effects on men’s perpetration of IPV in a peri-urban settlement in South Africa. Addressing IPV perpetration will require examination of broader structural challenges, such as livelihoods and food security, particularly in settings with endemic poverty. Future interventions should consider livelihood strategies to improve health outcomes for both women and men.

scholarly journals Does Food Insecurity Contribute towards Depression? A Cross-Sectional Study among the Urban Elderly in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Farhana Mesbah ◽  
Norhasmah Sulaiman ◽  
Zalilah Mohd Shariff ◽  
Zuriati Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status

With the aging of the population worldwide, there is an increasing concern for the mental health status as well as physical health. Depression is a common mental health problem among the elderly populations. Since the elderly are susceptible to food insecurity, this cross-sectional study is aimed to determine an association between food insecurity and depression among elderly people. A total of 220 elderly people- aged 60 years and above, residing in the Petaling district of Selangor, were included in this study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to obtain the pertinent information on demographic background, food security status (six items USDA FSSM), functional status (IADL, EMS), psychosocial status (LSNS-6), and depression status (GDS-15). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the factors that were associated with depression. The median age of the elderly sample was 65.5 years. The prevalence of depression and food insecurity that was recorded were 13.2% and 19.5%, respectively. Social isolation (AOR = 5.882, 95% CI: 2.221, 15.576), food insecurity (AOR = 3.539, 95% CI: 1.350, 9.279), and unsafe mobility (AOR= 3.729, 95% CI: 1.302, 10.683) increased the odds of depression. In conclusion, social isolation, food insecurity, and unsafe mobility are factors associated with depression among the elderly people. Plans such as health interventions as well as grocery and financial aid among the qualifying elderly are suggested to improve this depression and food insecurity.

scholarly journals Intersections of Sex Work, Mental Ill-Health, IPV and Other Violence Experienced by Female Sex Workers: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Community-Centric National Study in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11971
Author(s):  
Rachel Jewkes ◽  
Minja Milovanovic ◽  
Kennedy Otwombe ◽  
Esnat Chirwa ◽  
Khuthadzo Hlongwane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Sex

Female sex workers (FSWs) are at increased risk of mental health problems, including mood disorders and substance abuse, and we need to understand the origins of these to treat and prevent them, and particularly understand how the context in which they sell sex impacts their mental health. We conducted a multi-stage, community-centric, cross-sectional survey of 3005 FSWs linked to SW programmes in twelve sites across all nine provinces of South Africa. We interviewed adult women who had sold sex in the preceding six months, who were recruited via SW networks. We found that FSWs have very poor mental health as 52.7% had depression and 53.6% has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The structural equation model showed direct pathways from childhood trauma and having HIV+ status to mental ill-health. Indirect pathways were mediated by food insecurity, controlling partners, non-partner rape, harmful alcohol use, substance use to cope with SW, indicators of the circumstances of SW, i.e., selling location (on streets, in taverns and brothels), frequency of selling and experiencing SW stigma. All paths from childhood trauma had final common pathways from exposure to gender-based violence (non-partner rape or intimate partner violence) to mental ill-health, except for one that was mediated by food insecurity. Thus, FSWs’ poor mental health risk was often mediated by their work location and vulnerability to violence, substance abuse and stigma. The potential contribution of legal reform to mitigate the risks of violence and mental ill-health are inescapable. Treatment of mental ill-health and substance abuse should be an essential element of FSW programmes.

The association of food insecurity with sociodemographic factors and depression in the elderly population of Qarchak city – Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Rafat ◽  
Arezoo Rezazadeh ◽  
Pishva Arzhang ◽  
Abbas Alipourr
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Economic Condition ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adequate Food

Purpose Elderly people are at higher risk of food insecurity because of limited or uncertain inaccessibility to adequate food supply. This is not only as a result of economic limitation but also as the outcome of the inability to intake food because of cognitive or functional impairment and health problems. Because of the lack of data about food insecurity and depression among the elderly population in Iran, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between socioeconomic factors and depression with food insecurity among the elderly population. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 on 720 elderly people of Qarchak city that were selected by the proportional stratified sampling method. Food insecurity was evaluated using the FaCPS-FSSM food security questionnaire; Geriatric Depression Scale questionnaire to measure the score of depression and the socioeconomic questionnaire filled out during interviews. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS version 22 software. Findings Food insecurity was found in 396 (56.1%) of the elderly population. Food insecure elderly population had lower education (P < 0.001). While the percentage of educated individuals who were in food security was 53.2%, the percentage for not educated participants was 28.7%. Household economic status (P < 0.001). Data showed 64.6% of individuals with the normal economic condition were in food security, and the percent for the poor economic condition was 37.2%. Food insecurity was highly associated with depression in the elderly population (odds ratio: 4.76, 8.92 and 3.32 for mild, moderate and severe hunger, respectively, P < 0.001). Originality/value Food insecurity is related to low economic status and education. The results of this study indicated that food help from governmental organizations, charities and having health insurance may be associated with reduced risk of food insecurity in the elderly population and consequently lower depression prevalence among them.

scholarly journals Differentiating objective and subjective dimensions of social isolation and apprasing their relations with physical and mental health in italian older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maddalena Fiordelli ◽  
Gabriele Sak ◽  
Benedetta Guggiari ◽  
Peter J. Schulz ◽  
Serena Petrocchi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face

Abstract Background International research shows that social isolation is harmful for health, especially for the elderly. Its objective and subjective dimensions are important to distinguish as each stands in a different relation with health. The first aim of the present study is the validation of three scales measuring objective and subjective isolation in an Italian elderly population. The second aim is to analyze subjective and objective social isolation and to appraise their association with health among seniors. Methods This cross-sectional survey collected data from 306 over 65 s participants. Questionnaires were administered face-to-face by one author and encompassed: social disconnectedness scale; perceived isolation scale; abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale; measures of general and mental health, and depression. Results The three scales measuring social isolation demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and validity. Objective and subjective social isolation were not directly associated with physical health, whereas subjective isolation is strongly linked to worse mental health and depression. Higher level of subjective isolation was associated with lower level of physical health through the mediation of mental health. Subjective isolation served as a mediator in the relation between objective isolation and health. Moderation analysis demonstrated that low values of objective isolation predicted high values of mental health but only when subjective isolation was low. None of these relations were moderated by socio-demographic variables. Conclusion Subjective and objective isolation are clearly two separate dimensions and the scales validated in this paper showed to be potentially culturally invariant. Researchers should work to find instruments able to depict the complexity of the construct of social isolation.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity Prevalence, Severity and Determinants in Australian Households during the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Women

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4262
Author(s):  
Sue Kleve ◽  
Christie J. Bennett ◽  
Zoe E. Davidson ◽  
Nicole J. Kellow ◽  
Tracy A. McCaffrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Distress Scale

This study aimed to describe the prevalence, severity and socio-demographic predictors of food insecurity in Australian households during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, from the perspective of women. A cross-sectional online survey of Australian (18–50 years) women was conducted. The survey collected demographic information and utilised the 18-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). A multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of food security status. In this cohort (n = 1005), 19.6% were living in households experiencing food insecurity; with 11.8% experiencing low food-security and 7.8% very low food-security. A further 13.7% of households reported marginal food-security. Poor mental health status (K10 score ≥ 20) predicted household food insecurity at all levels. The presence of more than three children in the household was associated with low food-security (OR 6.24, 95% CI: 2.59–15.03). Those who were renting were 2.10 (95% CI: 1.09–4.05) times likely to experience very low food-security than those owning their own home. The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to an increased prevalence of household food insecurity. This study supports the need for a range of responses that address mental health, financial, employment and housing support to food security in Australia.

The Relationship Between The Perception of Elderly’s Health Status and Health Behaviors in Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 420-423
Author(s):  
Prapada Watcharanat ◽  
Prasong Tanpichai ◽  
Ravee Sajjasophon
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Congenital Diseases ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: This research aims to study the relationship between perception of elderly’s health and health behaviors in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was used to collect the data. This research was conducted in Nakhon Nayok province. The sample size was 270 which applied Taro Yamane's formula at a significant level 0.05. The descriptive statistics was implemented to describe the variables by presenting the frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between perception of elderly’s health and health behaviors. The statistical significance was considered to reject Hypothesis-null at < 0.05. Results: From a total of 270 people, more than 58.22% of the elderly perceived that they had moderate health conditions. Most elderly had congenital diseases (62.2%). The multiple regression analysis results showed that health status perception and health status perception when compared to their cohort related significantly to health behavior. Conclusion: The government should support the elderly on participation, trust, engagement, and cultural concern of the people in the community, which can contribute to promoting the physical, mental and social condition of the elderly.

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