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Exploring the Food (In)Security Status of Suburban Households and Its Determinants during COVID-19

Author

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  • Busisiwe Lujabe

    (Department of Social Development Professions, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6200, South Africa)

  • Blanche Pretorius

    (Department of Social Development Professions, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6200, South Africa)

  • Veonna Goliath

    (Department of Social Development Professions, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6200, South Africa)

  • Wilbert Sibanda

    (Department of Biostatics Unit, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6200, South Africa)

Abstract

Household food insecurity in South African suburban low-income households is a major challenge. Research outcomes that will inform decisions on effective solutions towards reducing household food insecurity in South Africa are essential. The purpose of this study was firstly to determine the food security status of households and the skills of household members in Ward 60 of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Secondly, it was also to determine the association between the socioeconomic and demographic variables of the households and their level of food (in-)security. The study employed a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, comprising a qualitative Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) methodology and a quantitative household food security survey methodology. A household food security survey was employed using a questionnaire that was based on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The questionnaire was used to collect data from 170 randomly selected households. The data analysis used the HFIAS score and logistic regression analysis. The results show 6.1% of households as food secure, 3.05% as mildly food insecure, 13.4% as moderately food insecure, and 77.4% as severely food insecure. The results also show that a significant unemployment rate, a reliance on social grants, and absence of income seriously impact the extent of household food insecurity. The results show a significant association between the household food security and the variables of unemployment, income, and gender. The regression analysis results suggest that gender, household size, age, employment, and household income influence household food security. The results of the household skills show that the households had a variety of skills. These results can help to inform decisions by the government, local municipalities, NGOs, and other stakeholders towards designing effective solutions for enhancing household food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Busisiwe Lujabe & Blanche Pretorius & Veonna Goliath & Wilbert Sibanda, 2022. "Exploring the Food (In)Security Status of Suburban Households and Its Determinants during COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3918-:d:780075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tadesse, Getaw & Abate, Gashaw T. & Zewdie, Tadiwos, 2020. "Biases in self-reported food insecurity measurement: A list experiment approach," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    2. William Nkomoki & Miroslava Bavorová & Jan Banout, 2019. "Factors Associated with Household Food Security in Zambia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-18, May.
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    4. Chakona, Gamuchirai & Shackleton, Charlie M., 2019. "Food insecurity in South Africa: To what extent can social grants and consumption of wild foods eradicate hunger?," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 13(C), pages 87-94.
    5. Vimal Ranchhod & Reza Daniels, 2020. "Labour market dynamics in South Africa in the time of COVID-19: Evidence from wave 1 of the NIDS-CRAM survey," SALDRU Working Papers 265, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
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