Food Insecurity amid COVID-19 Lockdowns: Assessing Sociodemographic Indicators of Vulnerability in Harar and Kersa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with widespread social disruptions, as governments implemented lockdowns to quell disease spread. To advance knowledge of consequences for households in lower-income countries, we examine food insecurity during the pandemic period. Design Cross-sectional study using logistic regression to examine factors associated with food insecurity. Data were collected between August and September of 2021 through a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) using a survey instrument focused on knowledge regarding the spread of COVID-19; food availability; COVID-19 related shocks/coping; under-five child healthcare services; and healthcare services for pregnant women. Setting The study is set in two communities in Eastern Ethiopia, one rural and one urban. Participants A random sample of 880 households residing in Kersa and Harar. Results Roughly 16% of households reported not having enough food to eat during the pandemic, an increase of 6% since before the pandemic. After adjusting for other variables, households were more likely to report food insecurity if they were living in an urban area, were a larger household, had a family member lose employment, reported an increase in food prices, or were food insecure before the pandemic. Households were less likely to report food insecurity if they were wealthier or had higher household income. Discussion After taking other characteristics into consideration, households in urban areas were at higher risk for food insecurity. These findings point to the need for expanding food assistance programs to more urban areas to help mitigate the impact of lockdowns on more vulnerable households.

Assessing Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Household Hardships during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Manhiça, Mozambique using Data Collected between April 2021 and February 2022

“…[16] However, our findings are generally consistent with findings reported in other studies from sub-Saharan African countries. [40][41][42] As an observational study, other potential limitations include unmeasured variable bias (for example, we did not gather information related to food insecurity beyond increases in local food prices) or recall bias due to the extended length of time considered in the study (i.e., some respondents may have forgotten hardships that occurred closer to the onset of the pandemic). We also cannot draw causal inferences given the cross-sectional nature of the study.…”

“…This study is part of a broader examination within the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network to analyze the consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns for child health and mortality. [40][41][42][43] Leveraging the established platform within the CHAMPS Network of HDSS [44] in 2021, we administered a questionnaire to households in Manhiça, Mozambique.…”

Knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms, transmission, and prevention: Evidence from health and demographic surveillance in Southern Mozambique

“…This study is part of a broader examination within the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network to analyze the consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns for child health and mortality [14][15][16][17]. Leveraging the established platform of the CHAMPS Network of Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSSs) [18], we administered a short questionnaire to all households in a rural district [19].…”

Knowledge of COVID-19 prevention in Eastern Ethiopia

“…Both areas have been monitored through a Health and Demographic Surveillance System since 2012, with demographic and health-related information regularly collected. 15,16 The rural area comprises 24 kebeles (neighborhoods), covering 353 km 2 and with a population of 135,754 in 25,653 households (Figure 1). The urban area comprises 12 kebeles, covering 25.4 km 2 and with a population of 55,773 in 14,768 households.…”