The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessment

Food insecurity is a growing concern worldwide, particularly in urban areas of developing countries. However, it is a problem that is less discussed in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study has aimed to assess the level of food insecurity among urban households that benefit from the urban productive safet...

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Main Authors: Abraham Woru Borku, Abera Uncha Utallo, Thomas Toma Tora
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-03-01
Series:Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324000565
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author Abraham Woru Borku
Abera Uncha Utallo
Thomas Toma Tora
author_facet Abraham Woru Borku
Abera Uncha Utallo
Thomas Toma Tora
author_sort Abraham Woru Borku
collection DOAJ
description Food insecurity is a growing concern worldwide, particularly in urban areas of developing countries. However, it is a problem that is less discussed in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study has aimed to assess the level of food insecurity among urban households that benefit from the urban productive safety net program. The study included 310 household heads selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. A survey questionnaire, focus group discussions, field observation, and key informant interviews were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the collected data. The multi-index approach was used to assess the level of food insecurity among households. The results showed that nearly 89% had varying levels of food insecurity. The study also revealed that the majority of households consumed vegetation (79.7%), roots (76.5%), cereals (74.8%), fruits (68.4%), and pulses (53.5%). On the other hand, a lower proportion of households consumed fish (2.3%) and meat (14.8%). The chi-square result shows that cereals, pulses, fruits, and meat were significant at P < 0.01, respectively. Milk and milk products, oil or butter, sugar or honey, and coffee or tea were statistically significant at P < 0.00. This indicates that there are meaningful associations between the consumption patterns of different food groups and the variables being investigated in the study. We recommend categorizing households based on the severity of food insecurity. This will enable policymakers and organizations to tailor their support mechanisms to address the specific needs of each category more sustainably, enabling the victimized households to be self-sufficient.
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spelling doaj.art-5d1949fe8e53443f9f15382224f60f182024-03-07T05:29:59ZengElsevierJournal of Agriculture and Food Research2666-15432024-03-0115101019The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessmentAbraham Woru Borku0Abera Uncha Utallo1Thomas Toma Tora2Arba Minch University Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Arba Minch University Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Arba Minch, EthiopiaArba Minch University Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Arba Minch, EthiopiaFood insecurity is a growing concern worldwide, particularly in urban areas of developing countries. However, it is a problem that is less discussed in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study has aimed to assess the level of food insecurity among urban households that benefit from the urban productive safety net program. The study included 310 household heads selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. A survey questionnaire, focus group discussions, field observation, and key informant interviews were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the collected data. The multi-index approach was used to assess the level of food insecurity among households. The results showed that nearly 89% had varying levels of food insecurity. The study also revealed that the majority of households consumed vegetation (79.7%), roots (76.5%), cereals (74.8%), fruits (68.4%), and pulses (53.5%). On the other hand, a lower proportion of households consumed fish (2.3%) and meat (14.8%). The chi-square result shows that cereals, pulses, fruits, and meat were significant at P < 0.01, respectively. Milk and milk products, oil or butter, sugar or honey, and coffee or tea were statistically significant at P < 0.00. This indicates that there are meaningful associations between the consumption patterns of different food groups and the variables being investigated in the study. We recommend categorizing households based on the severity of food insecurity. This will enable policymakers and organizations to tailor their support mechanisms to address the specific needs of each category more sustainably, enabling the victimized households to be self-sufficient.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324000565Food securityHousehold food insecurity access scaleHousehold dietary diversity scoreHousehold food insecurity access prevalenceUrban productive safety net program
spellingShingle Abraham Woru Borku
Abera Uncha Utallo
Thomas Toma Tora
The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessment
Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
Food security
Household food insecurity access scale
Household dietary diversity score
Household food insecurity access prevalence
Urban productive safety net program
title The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessment
title_full The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessment
title_fullStr The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessment
title_full_unstemmed The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessment
title_short The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessment
title_sort level of food insecurity among urban households in southern ethiopia a multi index based assessment
topic Food security
Household food insecurity access scale
Household dietary diversity score
Household food insecurity access prevalence
Urban productive safety net program
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324000565
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