Socio-demographic and geographic disparities of population-level food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
IntroductionThis study investigated the prevalence of food insecurity, and the association between socio-demographic and geographic factors and food insecurity in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe study extracted data on 5,066 persons age 15 years or older from a nationally-representa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1071814/full |
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| author | Sirinya Phulkerd Natjera Thongcharoenchupong Aphichat Chamratrithirong Rossarin Soottipong Gray Umaporn Pattaravanich Chantana Ungchusak Pairoj Saonuam |
| author_facet | Sirinya Phulkerd Natjera Thongcharoenchupong Aphichat Chamratrithirong Rossarin Soottipong Gray Umaporn Pattaravanich Chantana Ungchusak Pairoj Saonuam |
| author_sort | Sirinya Phulkerd |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThis study investigated the prevalence of food insecurity, and the association between socio-demographic and geographic factors and food insecurity in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe study extracted data on 5,066 persons age 15 years or older from a nationally-representative sample survey of Thai households, conducted during June-December 2021. The respondents were asked about food insecurity, socio-demographic characteristics, debt, and role of the primary household food provider. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between the variables and food insecurity.ResultsOf the total sample, 28.6% had food insecurity. The highest probability of having food insecurity (p < 0.001) was observed in persons age 15–29 years, with no formal education, and in the lowest quartile of income. The highest probability of having food insecurity was found among respondents residing in the northeast, which is the poorest and with the least development status among geographic regions in Thailand. Respondents who reported having onerous personal debt and being the main household food provider were 1.4 and 2.3 times as likely to have food insecurity as those with no debt and not being the main food provider, respectively (p < 0.001).ConclusionThis suggests that government attention is required in developing policies and strategies to improve food security through addressing the socio-economic determinants, and buffer the negative impact of a national crisis on diets. Investment to improve household income and raise the educational profile of the population is needed. Addressing the regional disparities in food security requires area-specific measures which target the most vulnerable population groups. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:12:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b065fe92fe2d48b99918e1378eb4fbb4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:12:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-b065fe92fe2d48b99918e1378eb4fbb42023-01-13T05:15:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652023-01-011010.3389/fpubh.2022.10718141071814Socio-demographic and geographic disparities of population-level food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in ThailandSirinya Phulkerd0Natjera Thongcharoenchupong1Aphichat Chamratrithirong2Rossarin Soottipong Gray3Umaporn Pattaravanich4Chantana Ungchusak5Pairoj Saonuam6Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, ThailandInstitute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, ThailandInstitute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, ThailandInstitute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, ThailandInstitute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, ThailandHealthy Lifestyle Promotion Section of Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Bangkok, ThailandHealthy Lifestyle Promotion Section of Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Bangkok, ThailandIntroductionThis study investigated the prevalence of food insecurity, and the association between socio-demographic and geographic factors and food insecurity in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe study extracted data on 5,066 persons age 15 years or older from a nationally-representative sample survey of Thai households, conducted during June-December 2021. The respondents were asked about food insecurity, socio-demographic characteristics, debt, and role of the primary household food provider. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between the variables and food insecurity.ResultsOf the total sample, 28.6% had food insecurity. The highest probability of having food insecurity (p < 0.001) was observed in persons age 15–29 years, with no formal education, and in the lowest quartile of income. The highest probability of having food insecurity was found among respondents residing in the northeast, which is the poorest and with the least development status among geographic regions in Thailand. Respondents who reported having onerous personal debt and being the main household food provider were 1.4 and 2.3 times as likely to have food insecurity as those with no debt and not being the main food provider, respectively (p < 0.001).ConclusionThis suggests that government attention is required in developing policies and strategies to improve food security through addressing the socio-economic determinants, and buffer the negative impact of a national crisis on diets. Investment to improve household income and raise the educational profile of the population is needed. Addressing the regional disparities in food security requires area-specific measures which target the most vulnerable population groups.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1071814/fullfood insecuritysocio-demographic characteristicsgeographical areasCOVID-19Thailand |
| spellingShingle | Sirinya Phulkerd Natjera Thongcharoenchupong Aphichat Chamratrithirong Rossarin Soottipong Gray Umaporn Pattaravanich Chantana Ungchusak Pairoj Saonuam Socio-demographic and geographic disparities of population-level food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand Frontiers in Public Health food insecurity socio-demographic characteristics geographical areas COVID-19 Thailand |
| title | Socio-demographic and geographic disparities of population-level food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand |
| title_full | Socio-demographic and geographic disparities of population-level food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand |
| title_fullStr | Socio-demographic and geographic disparities of population-level food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Socio-demographic and geographic disparities of population-level food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand |
| title_short | Socio-demographic and geographic disparities of population-level food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand |
| title_sort | socio demographic and geographic disparities of population level food insecurity during the covid 19 pandemic in thailand |
| topic | food insecurity socio-demographic characteristics geographical areas COVID-19 Thailand |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1071814/full |
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