Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown the increased food insecurity and economic hardship across Uganda significantly impacted certain subgroups. With this study, we seek to gain a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on food security and other basic human needs. We conducted a household level survey using a convenience sample in Jinja district Uganda from April 2021 to December 2021.Local non-profits distributing food packages in 15 local communities conducted a survey of participating households. We used logistic regressions to generate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95%CIs for food insecurity and select demographic characteristics. Among 5169 respondents, the majority (77.4%) reported experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 lock down. Respondents with job loss and lower incomes were more likely to experience food insecurity. We report multiple physical and economic challenges related to food access. Majority among the 5,169 survey respondents reported lacking house rent (68%), water (74%), electricity (78%), child tuition (68%) and medicine (82.5%). Food security was positively associated with the lack of water, electricity, medicine, tuition and perceived increase in family relationship strain. Our study indicated the high prevalence of food insecurity and highlights its associated factors among low income communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is instrumental in providing additional research findings that illustrate the continued need for interventions targeted towards vulnerable food insecure subgroups.
Presenters
Pamela MukaireDirector of Programs, Resources for Improving Birth and Health Outcomes, Uganda Ogbochi McKinney
Professor, Health Science, California Baptist University, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
COVID-19 Impact, Food insecurity, Low income
