Household food insecurity during the Covid-19 pandemic and associated socioeconomic demographic factors in Papua New Guinea

Evidence from the Comprehensive Health and Epidemiological Surveillance System

Bibliographic Data

ID21879886
AuthorsVinson D Silas (0000-0001-9524-6246, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), William Pomat (0000-0003-2640-9640, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Ronny Jorry (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Rebecca Emori (0000-0002-6361-454X, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Seri Maraga (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Lydia Kue (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Noel Berry (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Tess Aga (Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research), Hung N Luu (0000-0002-2172-1849, University of Pittsburgh), Toan Ha (0000-0002-0574-0804, University of Pittsburgh), Toan H Ha (University of Pittsburgh), Anthony D Okely (0000-0002-1626-8170, University of Wollongong), Bang Nguyen Pham (0000-0002-8136-4660, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume8
Issue11
Pagese013308
Publication date2023-11-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013308
PMID37984899
OpenAlexW4388835395
LanguageEN
References cited23

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on global food security, but little is known about the impact on food security at the household level. We examined the prevalence and socioeconomic demographic factors for household food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea. METHODS: Household socioeconomic demographic data from the Comprehensive Health and Epidemiological Surveillance System were collected from six main provinces in 2020 (37880 participants) and compared with the 2018 data (5749 participants). The prevalence of household food insecurity was estimated and stratified by household socioeconomic demographic characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted OR (aOR) and 95% CI of risk factors. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of household food insecurity increased from 11% in 2018 to 20% in 2020, but varied across provinces, with the highest level reported in Central Province (35%) and the lowest level in East New Britain Province (5%).Food shortages were 72% less likely among urban residents than those living in rural areas (aOR 0.28 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.36)). The risk of food insecurity was 53% higher among adults aged 25+ years with primary education (grades 3-8) than those with university education (aOR 1.53 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.13)). People from households in the poorest wealth quintiles were 80% more likely to report food shortage than those from the richest wealth quintile (aOR 1.78 (95% CI 1.29 to 2.45). CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence to develop policy and intervention to deal with food insecurity in emergency situations in the future

Agriculture · Biostatistics · Disease · Economics · Environmental health · Food security · Geography · Multinomial logistic regression · Pandemic · Population · Public health · Socioeconomic status · Socioeconomics · Child Nutrition and Water Access · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Demography · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Epidemiology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access