Enhancing Social Support System for Improving Food Security Among the Elderly Headed Household in Communal Areas of Zimbabwe

Nyikahadzoi, Kefasi; Zamasiya, Byron; Muchinako, George Alex; Dziro, Charles

doi:10.5539/jfr.v2n3p46

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Participation in groups and social networks generally has reduced household vulnerability (Dershem and Gzirishvili, 1998). In particular, social networks have a positive influence on desirable health indicators (Brune and Bossert, 2009;Adelman, 2013), strengthen property rights by encouraging social reciprocity that facilitates collective action against coercive undertakings, and enhance food security status (Nyikahadon et al, 2013). In rural African communities, the support of social networks (extended family, friends, and neighbours) is essential in borrowing or leveraging land, labour, food, and money, especially at times of social and financial turmoil (Kebede and Butterfield, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social network characteristics and resource access among formerly displaced households in Lira, Uganda

Obaa

Mazur

2016

Disasters

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In rural African communities, the support of extended family, friends, and neighbours is essential in borrowing or leveraging land, labour, food, and money, especially at times of social and financial turmoil. Little is known, though, about the nature of the networks and the conditions under which they may generate greater support in post-conflict communities. This study, conducted in the Lira district of northern Uganda, examined the composition, proximity, and size of the networks that households utilise to gain access to resources during and after resettlement. Network structures with more kin and co-resident ties were found to offer greater resource access to households in post-conflict settings. Furthermore, there was a lack of meaningful linkages outside of a person's own village, especially with regard to households whose head has no or a low level of education. These findings enhance understanding of the specific role of relationships in social support for resource access among households in post-conflict communities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social network characteristics and resource access among formerly displaced households in Lira, Uganda

Obaa

Mazur

2016

Disasters

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“…Similarly, in developing a link between DEWS and food security, the survey questionnaire contained a component of dietary diversity assessment [29]. Dietary diversity is a qualitative measure of food consumption reflecting the households' access to a variety of foods.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Respondents were asked to score on the food items they consumed in the last 24 h. The food items included cereals, vitamin-rich vegetables, roots and tubers, dark leafy vegetables, other vegetables; vitamin A fruits; other fruits; meat, poultry, offal; eggs; fish; pulses/groundnuts/legumes; milk and milk products; oil/fats; sugar/honey. The expected response was either yes = 1 or no = 0 following Kefasi Nyikahadzoi [29] method.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda

et al. 2017

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Background: Drought is regarded as a leading cause of food insecurity affecting about 220 million people in subSaharan Africa. Drought early warning systems (DEWSs) have the potential to strengthen capacity of communities in managing and reducing drought effects through building preparedness and providing coping strategies. The Karamoja subregion is the only region with a functional DEWS in Uganda. The subregion suffers from effects of recurrent episodes of drought with negative impacts on food security. Despite having DEWS in place, the subregion remains the most food insecure in the country. The extent to which DEWS has contributed to household food security in the subregion remains unclear. This study determined the effect of DEWS on agro-pastoral household food security in the subregion. The study was conducted in Nakapiripirit and Kotido districts of the Karamoja. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 305 participating and non-participating households in DEWS. The effect of participating in DEWS on food security was analyzed using the generalized linear model. The level of food security and nutrition were measured using the household food insecurity access score and household dietary diversity score (HDDS), respectively. Results:Findings showed that all respondents had experienced food insecurity during the course of the year. Drought was indicated as the main cause of food insecurity in the households. Participation in DEWS significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the threat of food insecurity by 23.7% and increased the level of household nutrition by 30%. Better nutrition was realized in DEWS participating households (HDDS = 9.0) compared to non-participating households (HDDS = 6.6). Conclusion:Owing to intermittent drought events in the Karamoja subregion, DEWS contributes to household food security and nutrition by providing households with information on timely planting, crop diversification, farm equipment, drought management and drought-tolerant crop varieties. There is need for DEWS practitioners to focus on information dissemination, provision of drought-tolerant crops and provision of training opportunities to communities for increased production in semi-arid areas.

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“…Instrumental social support, referring to practical help that serves a particular function such as cash loans or labour in-kind, is thought to most effectively foster improved food security in comparison to emotional, informational, or companionship social support (Cohen and Wills 1985; Tsai et al 2011). Relatively few previous studies in sub-Saharan Africa have examined the relationship between food insecurity and social support (Hadley, Mulder, and Fitzherbert 2007; Frongillo, Valois, and Wolfe 2003; Nyikahadzoi et al 2013; Lemke et al 2003). A mixed-methods study in South Africa found that female-headed households had better nutrition security than male-headed households, which was attributed to women's reliance on and fostering of social ties and networks (Lemke et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A mixed-methods study in South Africa found that female-headed households had better nutrition security than male-headed households, which was attributed to women's reliance on and fostering of social ties and networks (Lemke et al 2003). A cross-sectional study in Zimbabwe found that elderly-headed households had greater food security compared to households headed by younger people, and social capital increased the elderly headed household's likelihood of being food secure (Nyikahadzoi et al 2013). One study in rural Tanzania demonstrated that measures of wealth and social support were strongly associated with greater food security (Hadley, Mulder, and Fitzherbert 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Around the Table: Food Insecurity, Socioeconomic Status, and Instrumental Social Support among Women Living in a Rural Kenyan Island Community

Nagata

Fiorella

Salmen

et al. 2015

Ecology of Food and Nutrition

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Food insecurity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Because food procurement is a social process embedded in complex social structures, social support may serve a critical role in sustaining food security in resource-limited settings. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among socio-economic status, social support, and food insecurity in a rural Kenyan island community. A cross-sectional random sample of 111 female heads of households representing 583 household members were surveyed in Mfangano Island, Kenya from August to October 2010 using adaptations of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. In multiple linear regression models, less instrumental social support, defined as concrete direct ways people help others (B = −0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.45 to −0.17), and decreased ownership scale based on owning material assets (B = −2.93; 95% CI −4.99 to −0.86) were significantly associated with increased food insecurity, controlling for age, education, marital status, and household size. In addition to economic interventions, social support interventions geared at group capacity and resilience may be crucial adjuncts to improve and maintain the long term food security and health of persons living in low-resource regions.

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Enhancing Social Support System for Improving Food Security Among the Elderly Headed Household in Communal Areas of Zimbabwe

Cited by 13 publications

References 10 publications

Social network characteristics and resource access among formerly displaced households in Lira, Uganda

Social network characteristics and resource access among formerly displaced households in Lira, Uganda

Effect of drought early warning system on household food security in Karamoja subregion, Uganda

Around the Table: Food Insecurity, Socioeconomic Status, and Instrumental Social Support among Women Living in a Rural Kenyan Island Community

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