Facilitators and Barriers toward Food Security of Afghan Refugees Residing in Karachi, Pakistan

Khakpour, Mahasti; Iqbal, Romaina; Ghulamhussain, Naveera; Engler‐Stringer, Rachel; Koç, Mustafa; Garcea, Joseph; Farag, Marwa; Henry, Carol J.; Vatanparast, Hassan

doi:10.1080/03670244.2019.1598982

Cited by 15 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The results of the study are also consistent with research which indicates low-income or financial constraints as a barrier to food access (Moffat et al , 2017; Tarasuk, 2017; Khakpour et al , 2019). While some participants in Saskatoon attempted to address issues of economic access, and lack of availability through the use of food banks, many described food banks as failing to provide culturally appropriate and high-quality foods (Moffat et al , 2017) that may otherwise be economically inaccessible to them.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The study also demonstrated how food insecurity is more complicated than food access alone, and ultimately it is impacted by food affordability (Tarasuk, 2017; Premanandh, 2011; Khakpour et al , 2019). Dimensions of food access include economic and to a lesser degree physical access to necessary and desired foods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Households identified as particularly vulnerable to food insecurity include groups such as, but not limited to, families with children, lone-parent families, social assistance dependent families, racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, new immigrants and refugees (Dharod et al , 2013; Dietitians of Canada, 2016; FAO, 2013; FAO, 2003; Hadley et al , 2010). Specifically, when compared with other immigrant groups, refugees remain one of the segments of people most vulnerable to food insecurity, predominantly as a result of economic restraints (Hadley et al , 2010, 2007; Vahabi et al , 2011; Khakpour et al , 2019). Generally, low-income levels increase the risk of food insecurity (Loopstra et al , 2015; Tarasuk et al , 2016; Tarasuk, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring food security among recently resettled Syrian refugees: results from a qualitative study in two Canadian cities

Vatanparast

Koç

Farag

et al. 2020

IJMHSC

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Purpose This study aims to provide a qualitative in-depth account of the status and experience of food insecurity for Syrian refugee households in Toronto and Saskatoon, Canada. The study considers the range of geographic, socio-economic, cultural and gendered components shaping and determining the barriers and management of food insecurity. Design/methodology/approach The study included 54 semi-structured interviews with refugee families in Toronto and Saskatoon who resettled in Canada after November 2015. In addition, 15 semi-structured in-person or telephone interviews were conducted with settlement and support agencies to measure their capacity to respond to issues of food insecurity for Syrian refugees. Findings Syrian refugees reported experiencing food insecurity as part of the broader resettlement journey, including in the transitional phase of refuge and in each settlement context in Canada. Income status in Canada was reported as a key barrier to food security. Low-income barriers to food security were experienced and shaped by factors including food affordability, physical access and availability and the extent of familial or other support networks including sponsorship relationships. Participants also reported how managing food insecurity contributed to the intensification of gender expectations. Originality/value The analysis reveals food insecurity as both an income and non-income based concern for refugees during the process of resettlement. The study also highlights the importance of considering variations between primary barriers to food security identified by Syrian families and key informants as critical to the development of strategies designed to mitigate the impacts of resettlement on food security.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring food security among recently resettled Syrian refugees: results from a qualitative study in two Canadian cities

Vatanparast

Koç

Farag

et al. 2020

IJMHSC

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“…Further studies are needed to culturally identify appropriate and cost-effective ways to promote traditional foods and to assess nutritional quality and safety in Canada (20,21). However, Khakpour et al (22) reported that food insecurity was a consistent condition for Afghan refugee families in Pakistan regardless of their length of staying.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overview of Food Security Statuses in Afghan Refugees in Iran

Kamali

Roudsari²,

Abedi

et al. 2021

Nutr Food Sci Res

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Background and Objectives:Refugees are often further susceptible to food insecurity in host countries. This study was carried out to review food insecurity statuses of Afghan refugees in Iran. Materials and Methods:A comprehensive search was carried out using keywords of "food insecurity", "food security", "Iran", "Afghan", "immigrant" and "refugee" in English databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as Persian databases, including Scientific Information Database, Noor, Magiran and Irandoc, from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2019. Prevalence of food insecurity reported in each study was recorded based on the types of questionnaires and food insecurity criteria. Meta-analysis was carried out using random effect model with publication bias and heterogeneity tests using STATA Software. Results:Overall, four studies were reviewed; of which, one was carried out in two provinces of Tehran and Mashhad.Household food insecurity access scale, United States Department of Agriculture and Radimer/Cornell questionnaires were used as the measurement tools in 2, 1 and 1 studies, respectively. Prevalence of mild, moderate and severe food insecurities was reported as 11. 6-16.1, 27.4-46.5 and 20-61%, respectively. Based on meta-analysis, prevalence of food insecurity in Afghan refugees in Iran was 89% (95% CI: 69-110%). Food insecurity was significantly more prevalent in Afghan immigrants with illegal residential statuses and female-headed and bigger family size households. Being Sunnis, living in various cities (Tehran and Mashhad) and duration of staying in Iran were associated with food insecurity in Afghan refugees. Conclusions:The high prevalence of food insecurity in Afghan refugees in Iran reveals the necessity of policies to limit the prevalence of food insecurity in these refugees in Iran.

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“…Some studies show that after migration to the host country, migrants may find it difficult to become familiar with the new food environment, which can result in food insecurity [ 15 – 18 ]. The available food and dietary patterns in the host country interact with a migrant’s culture, ethnicity, gender, and place of origin, impacting their dietary behavior.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing the nutritional behavior of Syrian migrants in Germany — results of a qualitative study

2021

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Background Syrian migrants represent the third-largest group of foreigners in Germany and are therefore potential users of health promotion initiatives, including nutrition programs. It is little known how (healthy) nutrition is understood and implemented by this group and which factors influence their experiences related to food and eating in the host country. Thus, this study aimed to explore the importance of (healthy) nutrition, facilitators, and barriers of a preferred diet; nutritional changes in relation to the country of origin; and how nutrition may change with increasing length of stay. Methods Thirty semi-structured qualitative interviews with Syrian migrants (male = 16, female = 14, 18–35 years, length of stay 10–68 months) were conducted in 2018. Seventeen migrants could be followed-up after 12 months and were interviewed in 2019 again and were asked for changes in their nutritional behavior. Interviews were conducted in German, English, or Arabic, transcribed and translated into English if necessary. For analysis, an abbreviated version of the Grounded Theory was used. Results We identified six overarching themes that described influencing factors on a favored diet in Germany over the course of stay: (1) managing everyday life; (2) intercultural contact with local residents; (3) social context of cooking and eating; (4) ambiguity toward Arabic food; (5) mistrust toward certain types of food; and (6) influence of postmigration stressors. In general, the importance of nutrition is high among Syrian migrants. However, daily stressors, the lack of practical knowledge of how to cook favored dishes, and food insecurity in the new food environment make it difficult to obtain a preferred diet. With increasing stay, many developed a higher awareness of healthy eating, mainly due to a new independence or influences from the social environment in Germany. Conclusion Results highlight the need for health promotion interventions to be more responsive to the specific needs of Syrian migrants, including nutrition. Syrian migrants differ in their capabilities, needs, and aims, and they should be addressed differently by health professionals, social services or migrant specific services. Future research should continue to focus on the living conditions of Syrian migrants and its influence on nutrition.

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Facilitators and Barriers toward Food Security of Afghan Refugees Residing in Karachi, Pakistan

Cited by 15 publications

References 12 publications

Exploring food security among recently resettled Syrian refugees: results from a qualitative study in two Canadian cities

Exploring food security among recently resettled Syrian refugees: results from a qualitative study in two Canadian cities

An Overview of Food Security Statuses in Afghan Refugees in Iran

Factors influencing the nutritional behavior of Syrian migrants in Germany — results of a qualitative study

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