Perceived social support is greater among food secure Iranian households during the COVID-19 outbreak

Purpose Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected many different aspects of people’s lives around the world, including household food security. This study aims to investigate the food security status and its determinants, with emphasis on perceived social support among the Iranian population during the epidemic.. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,871 Iranian adults by social media in all provinces of the country. Demographic and socioeconomic information, household food security status and perceived social support status were assessed by the validated questionnaires. Data was analyzed by statistical package for the social sciences version 22.0, with one-way ANOVA, Chi-square and multinomial logistic regression tests. Findings The prevalence of food security among the studied population was 55.2%. The results indicated that perceived social support plays a protective role on food security [odds ratio (OR) = 1.07, confidence interval (CI) = 1.06, 1.09, P-value < 0.001]. Reduced income during the epidemic [OR = 0.29, CI = 0.17, 0.47, P-value < 0.001] and presence of an old person (>65 years old) in the household [OR = 1.72, CI = 1.14, 2.60, P-value < 0.05], were significantly higher among moderate to severe food insecure group than food-secure group. More monthly income [OR = 0.28, CI = 0.13, 0.57, P-value < 0.001] and homeownership [OR = 1.83, CI = 1.22, 2.75, P-value < 0.05] were also predictors of food security status. Originality/value The development of supportive strategies which act immediately can protect vulnerable people against the consequences of the epidemic, including food insecurity. Long-term planning should also be considered to improve society’s resistance against such disasters.

Exploring Barriers to Food Security Among Immigrants: A Critical Role for Public Health Nutrition

Upon moving to a new country and new food environment, 2 important public health issues may be experienced by immigrants as they adapt to their new country of residence, namely a higher prevalence of food insecurity and/or a decline in overall health over time postimmigration. Therefore, improving the food environment experienced by new migrants may be an effective strategy to reduce long-term health complications and improve well-being postimmigration. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential barriers experienced by new immigrants in the access, availability, and utilization of familiar culturally appropriate foods and the subsequent impact on their food security status. Culturally appropriate foods are foods commonly consumed as part of cultural food traditions and are often staples within the diet; however, limited availability of and/or access to these foods can reduce food security. By understanding the barriers to food security and challenges that may be faced by immigrants and refugees, dietitians will be better equipped to assist these individuals in accessing culturally familiar foods and improve quality of life. In this capacity, dietitians can play a critical public health nutrition role by serving as a conduit for new immigrants to access community resources and navigate a new food environment.

Livelihood pattern and food security of tribal people in a selected area of Bangladesh

Asset’s possession and food consumption level of tribal people in Bangladesh express their socioeconomic status. The study was conducted to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics, measure the livelihood assets, and determine the calorie intake level of the sample households. Primary data were collected through field survey using an interview schedule from 60 tribal households. Tabular analysis and capital asset pentagon from DFID livelihood framework were used for data analysis. Household consumption data were converted to per person per day calorie intake level. The major findings of the study were that about 41.67% of the respondents were being 15-29 years of age, 30% respondents’ education was in the secondary level, average family size was 5.81, 40% of the respondents were occupied with agriculture as their primary occupation, average annual income and expenditure were Tk. 258560 (US$3015.28) and Tk. 242373.50 (US$2826.51), respectively. The livelihood assets were moderate. About 83.34% of the respondents belonged to the poor category and rest 16.67% of the respondents belonged to non-poor category. About 98.33% and 96.67% respondents suggested that, if job opportunity increases and ensure proper education; then their socioeconomic improvement will be faster. So, government and other organizations need to come forward to create more employment opportunity and education facilities for improving their livelihood pattern and food security status.

Analysis of Recent Rice Price Dynamics in Bangladesh: Causes and Policy Options

Rice availability and affordability are the key determinants of food security in Bangladesh. Therefore, it becomes the most important crop for the social and political economy of the country. Although a tremendous technological advancement contributed to the increasing trend of rice production, its affordability threatened due to the increasing price at the consumers’ level. The recent natural calamities and COVID-19 have worsened the food security status across the world. This research has estimated the demand and supply of rice in the pandemic era and figured out the drivers of recent price hike both in the producers’ and consumers’ levels using empirical and cognitive approaches. Based on the findings, some actionable policy options have been suggested to address the price level of rice in Bangladesh towards sustaining food security.

Food Handling Concerns and Practices at-Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic by Food Security Status

There is limited examination about COVID-19-related food handling concerns and practices that cause chemical or microbial contamination and illness, particularly among those with food insecurity. We investigated consumer food handling concerns and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether they differed by food insecurity status. An online survey was distributed among Chicago, Illinois residents between July 15-August 21, 2020 (N=437). Independent t-tests and Fisher’s Exact tests were used to identify differences in food handling concerns and practices between those with and without food insecurity (alpha=0.05). Survey items included questions about food handling practices that were considered safe or neutral (i.e., washing hands and produce with water, sanitizing food packaging) and unsafe (i.e., using cleaning agents to wash foods, leaving perishable foods outside) using 5-point Likert-style scales or categorical responses (i.e., yes, no). Participant responses fell between “slightly” and “somewhat” concerned about contracting COVID-19 from food and food packaging (mean ± SE: 2.7±0.1). While participants reported washing their hands before eating and preparing foods at least “most of the time” (mean ± SE: 4.4 ± 0.0 and 4.5 ± 0.0, respectively), only one-third engaged in unsafe practices. The majority of participants (68%) indicated that they altered food handling practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic and received information about food safety from social media (61%). When investigating differences in concerns and practices by food insecurity status, food insecure participants were more concerned about COVID-19 foodborne transmission for all food items (ps&lt;0.0001) and more frequently performed unsafe based food handling practices than those with food security (ps&lt;0.0001). Results from this study suggest more investigation is needed to understand barriers to safe food handling knowledge and practices, particularly among those with food insecurity.

Household Food Security, Nutritional Intake, and Nutritional Status of Pregnant Women in the Central Tapanuli Regency

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition that occurs during pregnancy can result in inadequate household food security so that it will affect the baby to be born. AIM: This study aims to determine household food security, nutrient intake, and nutritional status of pregnant women in the Central Tapanuli Regency. METHODS: This research is part of the DRPM research with the title of improving the nutrition of pregnant women and the success of breastfeeding immediately after birth through strengthening household food security in the Central Tapanuli Regency. The stages of this research are to identify the level of household food security and nutrient intake as well as the nutritional status of pregnant women. The study was conducted using observation and interviews as well as measuring LILA, examination of Hb levels, and iodine levels in the urine of 131 pregnant women purposively in eight districts of the Central Tapanuli. RESULTS: The household food security of status that is food insecure is 18.3%. The nutritional status of pregnant women with anemia was 58.7% and those with SEZ were 19.1% fiber with the low levels of iodine in the urine as much as 63.9%. Adequate intake of energy nutrients is 42% and sufficient protein is 38.9%. There was a significant relationship between food security status and energy intake (p = 0.000; OR = 53.9) and protein intake (p = 0.004; OR = 4.1). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant relationship between household food security status with energy and protein intake of pregnant women. Increased consumption of foods containing animal protein is recommended for pregnant women related to household food insecurity.

Assessment of Food Security and Livelihood Status of Rural Households Adopting Improved Rice Varieties in Kwara and Niger States of Nigeria

The study assessed the food security and livelihood status of rural households adopting improved rice varieties in Kwara and Niger States of Nigeria. Sample sizes of three hundred and ninety four rice farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling method. Structured questionnaire complimented with interview were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index, livelihood status index and Simpson index of diversity. The findings revealed 83.3% and 82.7% of rice farmers adopted FARO 44 and FARO 54 respectively. Also, 92.1% were food secured while 65.5% were of moderate livelihood status. The Simpson Diversification Index of rice farmers in the study area was 0.219, indicating low degree. Thus, it is recommended that rice farmers should diversify into other income generating activities in order to enhance their livelihood status and food security status. Also, research institutes should ensure farmers' access improved rice varieties with affordable prices and right time in order to enhance their livelihood and food security status.

Assessment of Household Food Security Status of Extension Services Beneficiaries in Obio Akpo and Emuoha LGAs in Rivers State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess the food security status of households who benefited from extension services in Obio Akpo and Emuoha Local Government Areas of Rivers State of Nigeria. The data used for the study was obtained from primary sources only. Structured questionnaires were administered on 240 respondents who were selected purposively and randomly respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive and copping strategy index to determine the food security status of the respondents. The results indicated that the beneficiaries of extension services fell between the ages of 20-59years. This result showed that the beneficiaries of extension services were young and full of energy which enhanced food production and security. Furthermore, the results also indicate that 80.4% of extension beneficiaries from Obio Akpo Local government area were food secured while 19.6% were food unsecured. However, 76.7% of beneficiaries of extension services from Emuoha Local Government Area were food secured whereas only 23.3% of beneficiaries were food unsecured. The food security status of beneficiaries of extension services from both Local government areas were food secured due to the reduced activities of the militants in the Niger Delta resulting from amnesty granted to the Militants during the period of this research work. Furthermore, there are increased assistance from oil companies and non-governmental organizations to enhance the food production and security in these local government areas.

Assessing Food Insecurity and Its Drivers among Smallholder Farming Households in Rural Oyo State, Nigeria: The HFIAS Approach

Hunger and food insecurity take center stage in most debates in Africa, and in recent times with serious concerns about Nigeria. This study assessed food insecurity among farming households in rural Oyo State, Nigeria, using cross-sectional datasets from 211 farming households through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) module was employed in assessing food insecurity status of farming households, and the ordered logit model (OLM) was used to analyze factors influencing food insecurity among farming households. The results revealed that 12.8% of the farming households were food secure while 87.2% had varying levels of food insecurity. The OLM results indicated that age, household head’s years of schooling, gender, farm size, farm experience, non-farm income, food expenditure, and access to extension service significantly influenced food insecurity among farming households. Based on the findings, efforts should be geared towards promoting households’ education-related intervention programs in order to improve their nutrition-related knowledge that can enhance their food security status. Additionally, there should be provision of rural infrastructural facilities such as piped water, rural electrification, and healthcare service that promote healthy living and enhance households’ agricultural productivity.