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Counting the Cost: The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Households in South East Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Johnny Ogunji

    (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, 482131 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria)

  • Stanley Iheanacho

    (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, 482131 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria)

  • Chinwe Victoria Ogunji

    (Department of Educational Foundations, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, 482131 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria)

  • Michael Olaolu

    (Department of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, 482131 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria)

  • Vivian Oleforuh-Okoleh

    (Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, 500101 Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria)

  • Nuria Amaechi

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, Abia State University, 441107 Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria)

  • Esther David

    (Department of Home Economics, Hospitality Management and Tourism, Ebonyi State University, 480001 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria)

  • Onyekachi Ndukauba

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, 460001 Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria)

  • Theophilus Maduabuchukwu Ikegwu

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, 420211 Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria)

  • Cresantus Biamba

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Gävle, SE-801 76 Gävle, Sweden)

  • Delight Chinonyerem

    (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, 482131 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria)

Abstract

The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 1209 households (urban and rural locations) were sampled. Household hunger was determined using the Radimer–Cornel hunger scale. Results show that before the COVID-19 lockdown, hunger prevalence in the urban areas was 85.5%, whereas prevalence in the rural areas was significantly lower, at a prevalence of 79.9% (7.3% level of association— X 2 = 6.499, p = 0.012). During the COVID-19 lockdown, the prevalence of hunger in the urban areas rose to 98.0% and 99.2% in the rural areas (4.9% level of association was X 2 = 2.888, p = 0.089). It was also observed that the COVID-19 lockdown significantly affected food prices. The major coping strategy employed by households was relying on less expensive foods (81.14%). High household hunger was identified as a short-term cost of the COVID-19 lockdown in South-East Nigeria. Only a few households (16.3%) benefited from the food aid programs and 16.9% from the government palliative cash transfer. It is recommended that the government setup a formidable unit that will develop physical and digital plans for effective implementation during a COVID-19 lockdown situation or other emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Johnny Ogunji & Stanley Iheanacho & Chinwe Victoria Ogunji & Michael Olaolu & Vivian Oleforuh-Okoleh & Nuria Amaechi & Esther David & Onyekachi Ndukauba & Theophilus Maduabuchukwu Ikegwu & Cresantus B, 2021. "Counting the Cost: The Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Households in South East Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12417-:d:676091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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