Individual and household influences on food security and dietary diversity in seven Dominican batey communities

Abstract

Background To identify individual and household characteristics associated with food security and dietary diversity in seven Haitian–Dominican bateyes. Methods A cross-sectional sample of 667 households were surveyed. Novel household food security scores were calculated from components of the Household Food Insecurity Assessment Scale, while the Food and Agricultural Organization’s Household Dietary Diversity Score was utilized to calculate individual dietary diversity scores. Multivariable analyses were performed using ordinal logistic regression models to estimate the association between these scores and the covariate variables. Secondary dietary diversity analyses were performed after removing non-nutritious food groups. Results Food security was significantly associated with being above the poverty line (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.92 to 5.14), living in a rural batey (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.03), receiving gifts and/or donations (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.00) and having a salaried job (i.e., not being paid hourly; OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.64). Dietary diversity was significantly associated with living in a semi-urban batey (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.30), living with a partner (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.00), growing at least some of one’s own food (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.23), and receiving gifts and/or donations (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.73). Conclusions Food insecurity and low dietary diversity are highly prevalent in Haitian–Dominican bateyes. The inclusion of sweets and non-milk beverages in dietary diversity calculations appear to skew scores towards higher levels of diversity, despite limited nutritional gains.

Findings on dietary characteristics among Haitian immigrants and the threat of food insecurity: A scoping review

“…Rates of food insecurity of 60.6 % and 78 %, respectively, were found in Chile [ 31 ] and Haitian-Dominican bateyes [ 32 ]. Sixty-five percent and 64.6 %, respectively, of male workers in the Dominican Republic [ 17 ] and adults in Brazil [ 33 ] were worried about running out of food before having money to buy more food.…”

“…Whereas, among these worried immigrants, almost 52 % and 62.6 %, respectively, of the immigrants living in the Dominican Republic and Brazil actually ran out of food. Low dietary diversity levels were found in Haitian-Dominican bateyes (57 %) [ 32 ] and among workers in the Dominican Republic (77 %) [ 17 ]. The factors positively associated with food insecurity were: having children, limited Spanish proficiency, no access to basic services, and not being a legal permanent resident [ 31 ]; being women, having a debt to migrate and having lived in the country for more than a year [ 33 ]; lack of utilities to cook or keep perishable items, racial prejudice, social isolation, and precarious life conditions [ 17 ]; being below the poverty line, not living in a rural area, not receiving gifts and/or donations, and not having a salaried job [ 32 ].…”

“…Low dietary diversity levels were found in Haitian-Dominican bateyes (57 %) [ 32 ] and among workers in the Dominican Republic (77 %) [ 17 ]. The factors positively associated with food insecurity were: having children, limited Spanish proficiency, no access to basic services, and not being a legal permanent resident [ 31 ]; being women, having a debt to migrate and having lived in the country for more than a year [ 33 ]; lack of utilities to cook or keep perishable items, racial prejudice, social isolation, and precarious life conditions [ 17 ]; being below the poverty line, not living in a rural area, not receiving gifts and/or donations, and not having a salaried job [ 32 ]. While those associated with dietary diversity were: living in a semi-urban area, living with a partner, growing at least some food, and receiving gifts and/or donations [ 32 ].…”

Perceptions of the local food environment and fruit and vegetable intake in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes research Network (ECHORN) Cohort study

“…The heavy reliance on imported food and drink is also linked to higher food costs and decreased food security, defined as access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious foods that meet food preferences and dietary needs ( FAO et al, 2019 ). These trends have implications for FV consumption in the region as some evidence has shown food insecurity to negatively affect FV consumption and health ( Derose et al, 2018 , Gulliford et al, 2003 , McWade et al, 2019 ). A narrative review of food environment studies from Latin American countries found that fresh FV were more expensive compared to processed and other foods.…”