scholarly journals Exploring the Impact of Crises on Food Security in Lebanon: Results from a National Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8753
Author(s):  
Maha Hoteit ◽  
Youssef Al-Atat ◽  
Hussein Joumaa ◽  
Suheir El Ghali ◽  
Rania Mansour ◽  
...  

This study aims to explore the prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among Lebanese households since the ordeals of COVID-19, economic crisis, and Beirut port explosions. At the core of the study, a mobile application entitled Nutrition Assessment System (NAS) that simplified the data collection was used as toolkit and a technical test was carried out in all Lebanese governorates between November 2020 and March 2021. Findings show that food insecurity is an immediate problem for households in Beirut and in many governorates in Lebanon. Nine in every 16 households ate less than 2 meals per day and more than 70% of them skipped their meals to spare food. Even though half the population studied had a low food consumption score, 82.4% of the people were not relying on livelihood coping strategies. However, more than three out of ten of these households relied on at least three food-based coping strategies. In addition, as for the livelihoods, this assessment found that most Lebanese households reported a drop in income along with an expansion in debt incurrence in the last 24 months to be able to buy food. Improving food security in Lebanon requires effort not only on the part of the government, but through regional and international actions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1451-1460
Author(s):  
Tamara Y Mousa ◽  
Jeanne H Freeland-Graves

AbstractObjectiveTo discern the impact of food donations provided by a food pantry and soup kitchen on food security.DesignIn this cross-sectional study, participants completed a demographic questionnaire, core food security module, FFQ and list of food donations. The FFQ was utilized to assess diet quality as estimated via the 2010 Healthy Eating Index.SettingClients were selected randomly from a food pantry and soup kitchen in Central Texas, USA.ParticipantsA total of 222 adults.ResultsApproximately 73 % of participants lacked food security. Compared with the food secure, the food insecure consisted of 61 % men, 42 % Caucasians, 56 % single and 67 % homeless. Also, of the food insecure, 60 % were soup kitchen clients and 64 % had an annual income <$US 1000 (P<0·01). The probability of food insecurity was reduced by ≥1·17-fold when the total dietary intake included the food donations, as these were rich in fruits, total vegetables and grains, dairy and protein foods (P<0·05).ConclusionsFood insecurity was quite prevalent in this sample of individuals who visited food pantries and soup kitchens. The addition of food donations improved the quality of the participants’ total diet and had a positive influence on food security. Thus, community organizations should financially support these food assistance agencies and strive to offer a variety of healthy and tasty foods in adequate quantities to provide optimum diet quality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Smith ◽  
Chandra R. Story ◽  
Korissa C. Hobbs ◽  
Tyler Bos ◽  
Garvita Thareja

Food insecurity is a serious public health problem among college students, negatively affecting academic performance and health outcomes. The primary objective of the study involved the exploration of the potential association between food insecurity and carotenoid scan levels. Additionally, the association between food insecurity and coping strategies utilized was investigated. A Qualtrics survey and BioPhotonic Scanner™ were utilized to conduct an exploratory cross-sectional study with students from a mid-size four-year university (n=410). The USDA food security definitions and assessment tools were used for categorization. More than 31% percent of participants were classified as food insecure, with 5.1% considered very low and 26.6% low food security. A statistically significant factor associated with food insecurity was ethnicity (OR= .19). Other factors included: skipped buying textbooks to buy food (OR=.09), avoided buying expensive foods like fruits and vegetables (OR=.24), stretched food by limiting (OR= .09), removed spoiled parts from fruits and vegetables (OR= .73). Carotenoid scan scores were not associated with food insecurity. Coping strategies are often used by food insecure students and should be further examined to pinpoint promising strategies.


Author(s):  
S. Hariharan ◽  
J. Krishnakumar ◽  
T. Stephen

Background: The Government of India took the historic move of demonetising Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes of Mahatma Gandhi Series from the midnight of 8th November 2016, following which these high value currency notes ceased to be a legal tender.It was a radical move by the Government which had an impact on the socio-economic and health status of the people. The study was conducted to assess the impact of demonetization move on the socio-economic and health status of the people residing in Anakaputhur area of Kanchipuram district.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted on people residing at Anakaputhur area of Kanchipuram district. A sample size of 272 people was obtained using convenient sampling method. The study was conducted from 1.3.2017 to 1.4.2017. Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel and analysis was carried out in SPSS 22 software. Descriptive analysis was done.Results: Of the total study population of 272 people, 157 were females and 115 were males. Majority of the participants (58.1%) had used only cash for making their payments. Majority of participants (60%) responded that they were satisfied with the demonetization move. Majority of participants (67%) responded that the demonetization move would lead to overall economic development of our country.Conclusions: Even though the Government’s intention behind demonetization was good, the process by which the move was implemented could have been better. Government could have taken proper anticipatory measures to prevent cash crunch.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Adusei

Abstract The COVID-19 and partial lockdown has brought significant effects on the entire economy, especially on food security and job losses. This study was carried out in Asokwa Municipal with the objective of examining the impact of COVID-19 disease and its related lockdown on food and nutrition security and job losses. The study site form part of the cities in Ghana to experience the partial lockdown, hence it qualifies for the selection. Both primary and secondary data were used. By means of purposive sampling technique, fifty respondents were selected as sample size. The study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive and narrative posture to the presentation, discussion and analysis of data. Open-ended questionnaire and a checklist were used for data collection through semi-structured interviews. The results revealed that, food and nutrition insecurity, job loss and income reductions are still very common, affecting participants livelihood. Disproportionally affected are households whose income comes from farming, transporters, informal labour, as well as marketers.It was concluded that food insecurity is not outside the impact of COVID-19 and its associated partial lockdown. Food and nutrition security are the global concern at present circumstances. The supply chain has been hit hardest by COVID-19, which causes food insecurity of most vulnerable segment of population which put them at risk. And also, most of the migrant, informal, seasonal farm workers were losing their jobs which may affect their demand for food. Therefore, the government should step-up the measures to control the pandemic without disturbing the food supply chain. The development and use of online marketing strategies where people can make orders of various produce and booked for purchases and or deliveries during a stated time range should be promoted.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Purnomo Purnomo ◽  
Zulfan Saam ◽  
Elda Nazriati

Abstract: The number of boiler chicken farm located in the community felt starting to annoy people, especially the chicken farm located close to residential areas. Many people complained about the bad effects of the operations of the boiler chicken farm because there are many farmers who ignore the handling of waste of effort. The impact that can arise is the smell of chicken farms, the emergence of flies and fears spread of bird flu virus. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the sewage smell chicken farm on the incidence of psychosomatic symptoms in a residential community surrounding villages cage Sei Lembu Makmur 2014. The design of this study analytic observational, cross-sectional study approach. This research was conducted in the month of January to August 2014. The sample in this study that people around the cage which amounts to 43 respondents. Data was collected through questionnaires and a doctor's diagnosis. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis were processed using the computerized system and Lambda test. The results showed that respondents ammonia contaminated and uncontaminated 21 people 22 people (51.2 %), which has a disturbing perception as many as 23 people (53.5 %) and did not interfere with 20 people (46.5 %) and respondents who had psychosomatic disorders is 13 people (30.2 %) and not psychosomatic 30 people (69.8%) .Based Lambda test showed that there was no relationship between the concentration of ammonia with psychosomatic disorders in settlements around the cage Sei Lembu Makmur (p = 1.000> 0.05) and there was no relationship between perception and psychosomatic disorders in the settlements around the cage Sei Lembu Makmur (p = 0.462> 0.05). For the people around the cage explain to the public that air pollution by ammonia due to the smell of the chicken coop with the highest ammonia concentration of 3.32 ppm which means no influence posed to human health. 


Author(s):  
Rawia A. Abdelshafie ◽  
Abdalla I. Abdalla Mohamed

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the current conditions of children of the selected area, for the purpose of measuring the new effective health program for schistosomiasis disease eliminations and obtain the prevalence intensity and risk factors of S. haematobium among school children in the study area.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was used to screen school going children of all the ages from five randomly selected schools from Alsuki region. A statistical analysis derived from data formulated based on 1062 samples aged between 6 and 15 years attending the selected schools during the period testing within 6 months were enrolled.Results: The impact of health awareness program was measured usefully and the responded factor for reducing the Schistosomiasis diseases was significantly became less than (0.05). Therefore, the actual qualified fitting degree and applicability was significantly becoming (p value=0.001).Conclusions: This research concluded that the prediction of Schistosomiasis diseases due to the risk Ratio of the collected data for those who did not attended awareness over the people who attended program became (0.248).


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 181-181
Author(s):  
Aseel El Zein ◽  
Karla Shelnutt ◽  
Sarah Colby ◽  
Geoffrey Greene ◽  
Wenjun Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the association between food insecurity and obesity and to examine whether it varies by sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2017 among college students from eight U.S. institutions. Participants (n = 683) completed the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and had their weight and height measured by researchers. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the sex-specific associations between food insecurity and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), after adjusting for socioeconomic covariates. Results Overall, 25.4% of students identified as food insecure and 10.5% were obese. The prevalence of obesity increased as the level of food insecurity increased, from 5.2% for those with high food security, 13.4% for those with marginal food security, to 17.4% and 21.6% for students with low and very low food security. In logistic regression analysis, marginal, low and very low food security students had an odds ratio of 2.83 (95% CI: 1.43, 5.57), 3.86 (95% CI: 1.88, 7.91), and 5.05 (95% CI:, 2.44, 10.48) of obesity compared to students with high food security, exhibiting a dose-response relationship. Among females, having marginal (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.75), low (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.40, 12.47), or very low food security (OR = 7.08, 95% CI: 2.60, 18.41) predicted higher odds of obesity compared to female students with high food security. Among males, those with low food security had higher odds of obesity (OR = 6.40, 95% CI: 1.78, 20.7). Conclusions The association between food insecurity and obesity in U.S. college students remained after adjustment for multiple socio-economic factors. Overall, food insecure females experienced an increase in the risk of obesity as food insecurity increased; however, only males with low food security had an increased risk of obesity. Programs directed toward obesity prevention need to address any level of food insecurity as a risk factor in females, and target males with low food security. Although beyond the scope of this study, it is possible that programs to reduce food insecurity may help prevent obesity in college students. Funding Sources This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2014–67,001-21,851.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Begotti ◽  
Daniela Acquadro Maran

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare victims of one type of cyberstalking (OneType) with victims of more than one type of cyberstalking (MoreType) regarding (1) the impact of cyberstalking and (2) attitudes related to telling someone about the experience of cyberstalking and the coping strategies used by victims. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to over 250 students at the University of Torino. Results: About half of the participants experienced at least one incident of cyberstalking. Among them, more than half experienced more than one type of cyberstalking. Victims suffered from depression more than those who had never experienced cyberstalking. No statistically significant difference emerged for anxiety. The coping strategies used by MoreType were more varied than those used by OneType victims of cyberstalking. Moreover, MoreType victims told someone about their victimization more than OneType victims. Conclusion: The work presented suggests implications for health care professionals, police officers, and government. For example, our suggestion is to pay attention to cyberstalking victims and provide flyers in schools, universities, and cafeterias that explain the risk of certain online behaviors and their consequences in physical and emotional spheres.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-108
Author(s):  
Aklesta Leni Firna ◽  
Azis Nur Bambang ◽  
Diana Nur Afifah

Background : Food consumption score (FCS) was one of indicators to measure the food insecurity that included some elements from food access and food consumption, but the sensitivity was different in each area so it was needed to do the sensitivity and specificity tests with the high precision and accuracy of parameter. Objectives : To do the sensitivity and specificity test of food consumption score to identify the food insecurity with parameter status of toddlers’ nutrition anthropometrically. Methods : Cross sectional study with total subjects 517 toddlers. Status of toddlers’ nutrition was counted according to zscore WHZ, WAZ, and HAZ. The FCS score was counted according to WFP formula.  Results : Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) FCS test with parameter of WHZ, WAZ, HAZ as followed Se=0 Sp=  ≥ 90%. Conclusion: The cut-off point of FCS that was set by WFP was non-sensitive in identifying the food insecurity with parameter status of toddlers’ nutrition.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
mohammad ariya ◽  
Jalal Karimi ◽  
Somayeh Abolghasemi ◽  
Zeinab Hematdar ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The 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.Methods: This 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).Results: In this study, 219 COVID-19 patients [100 (54.7%) male and 119 female (54.3%)] 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 = 0.76), 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. Conclusions: We observed that food-insecure people were significantly more likely to be hospitalized than the secure group.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document