Household socio-economic determinants of food security in Limpopo Province of South Africa: a cross sectional survey
Abstract Background Despite the strong commitment at both national and international levels to eradicate hunger and achieve household food security, by 2030 food insecurity remains a public health problem. South Africa is amongst the countries with the highest rate of income inequality in the world...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Agriculture & Food Security |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-023-00424-6 |
| _version_ | 1797774001867587584 |
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| author | Betrand Ayuk Tambe Ngoako Solomon Mabapa Hlekani Vanessa Mbhatsani Tshifhiwa Cynthia Mandiwana Lindelani Fhumudzani Mushaphi Merriam Mohlala Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane |
| author_facet | Betrand Ayuk Tambe Ngoako Solomon Mabapa Hlekani Vanessa Mbhatsani Tshifhiwa Cynthia Mandiwana Lindelani Fhumudzani Mushaphi Merriam Mohlala Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane |
| author_sort | Betrand Ayuk Tambe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Despite the strong commitment at both national and international levels to eradicate hunger and achieve household food security, by 2030 food insecurity remains a public health problem. South Africa is amongst the countries with the highest rate of income inequality in the world and extremely high levels of absolute poverty. The Gini coefficient in South Africa is estimated at 0.68 Although South Africa may be food secure at a national level, large numbers of households within the country are food insecure approximately 52% of the rural households in Limpopo Province of South Africa were considered severely food insecure. It has been noted that the majority of households in South African informal settlements and rural areas were moderately or severely food insecure due to lack of access to food which was directly related to income. Rural areas have assets that can be explored to support households. The adult population above 18 years in South Africa make up 78% of the 5.9 million population with about 40% living in rural areas, this study explored household food insecurity in adults in rural environments. The current study aimed to explore the socioeconomic and dietary determinants of household food insecurity among the adult population in the Limpopo Province. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used, and data were collected using a validated pre-tested questionnaire. The participants were recruited from households in Limpopo province. Multiple linear regression was computed to explore the influence of socioeconomic and dietary practices on food insecurity. Results The study included 699 randomly selected participants of which the majority earned a monthly income ≤ 3000 ZAR, and 31.8% experiencing hunger in the past 30 days at the time of study. The dietary practices of the participants were found to be associated with household food insecurity. The study found that large family size, being female in South Africa, low household income and low rate of regular breakfast intake were significant determinants of household food insecurity (p < 0.05). Conclusion In summary, most of the households were poor and approximately one-third were food insecure. The implementation of sustainable employment policies, and food-based approaches and targeting rural household food production could significantly reduce food insecurity in the rural area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:14:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-19bccfb1c81047cc89e5417e71bb3b8f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2048-7010 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:14:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture & Food Security |
| spelling | doaj.art-19bccfb1c81047cc89e5417e71bb3b8f2023-07-23T11:22:13ZengBMCAgriculture & Food Security2048-70102023-07-0112111010.1186/s40066-023-00424-6Household socio-economic determinants of food security in Limpopo Province of South Africa: a cross sectional surveyBetrand Ayuk Tambe0Ngoako Solomon Mabapa1Hlekani Vanessa Mbhatsani2Tshifhiwa Cynthia Mandiwana3Lindelani Fhumudzani Mushaphi4Merriam Mohlala5Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane6Division of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch UniversityDepartment of Nutrition, University of VendaDepartment of Nutrition, University of VendaDepartment of Nutrition, University of VendaDepartment of Nutrition, University of VendaCenter for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, University of VendaDivision of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch UniversityAbstract Background Despite the strong commitment at both national and international levels to eradicate hunger and achieve household food security, by 2030 food insecurity remains a public health problem. South Africa is amongst the countries with the highest rate of income inequality in the world and extremely high levels of absolute poverty. The Gini coefficient in South Africa is estimated at 0.68 Although South Africa may be food secure at a national level, large numbers of households within the country are food insecure approximately 52% of the rural households in Limpopo Province of South Africa were considered severely food insecure. It has been noted that the majority of households in South African informal settlements and rural areas were moderately or severely food insecure due to lack of access to food which was directly related to income. Rural areas have assets that can be explored to support households. The adult population above 18 years in South Africa make up 78% of the 5.9 million population with about 40% living in rural areas, this study explored household food insecurity in adults in rural environments. The current study aimed to explore the socioeconomic and dietary determinants of household food insecurity among the adult population in the Limpopo Province. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used, and data were collected using a validated pre-tested questionnaire. The participants were recruited from households in Limpopo province. Multiple linear regression was computed to explore the influence of socioeconomic and dietary practices on food insecurity. Results The study included 699 randomly selected participants of which the majority earned a monthly income ≤ 3000 ZAR, and 31.8% experiencing hunger in the past 30 days at the time of study. The dietary practices of the participants were found to be associated with household food insecurity. The study found that large family size, being female in South Africa, low household income and low rate of regular breakfast intake were significant determinants of household food insecurity (p < 0.05). Conclusion In summary, most of the households were poor and approximately one-third were food insecure. The implementation of sustainable employment policies, and food-based approaches and targeting rural household food production could significantly reduce food insecurity in the rural area.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-023-00424-6Dietary patternsHousehold environmentHousehold food insecurityLimpopo provinceSouth Africa |
| spellingShingle | Betrand Ayuk Tambe Ngoako Solomon Mabapa Hlekani Vanessa Mbhatsani Tshifhiwa Cynthia Mandiwana Lindelani Fhumudzani Mushaphi Merriam Mohlala Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane Household socio-economic determinants of food security in Limpopo Province of South Africa: a cross sectional survey Agriculture & Food Security Dietary patterns Household environment Household food insecurity Limpopo province South Africa |
| title | Household socio-economic determinants of food security in Limpopo Province of South Africa: a cross sectional survey |
| title_full | Household socio-economic determinants of food security in Limpopo Province of South Africa: a cross sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | Household socio-economic determinants of food security in Limpopo Province of South Africa: a cross sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Household socio-economic determinants of food security in Limpopo Province of South Africa: a cross sectional survey |
| title_short | Household socio-economic determinants of food security in Limpopo Province of South Africa: a cross sectional survey |
| title_sort | household socio economic determinants of food security in limpopo province of south africa a cross sectional survey |
| topic | Dietary patterns Household environment Household food insecurity Limpopo province South Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-023-00424-6 |
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