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de Aquino Guerreiro N, Manfrinato CV, Lourenço BH, Franco MDCP, Stedefeldt E, Tomita LY. Insufficient Answer During the Public Health Emergency: A Lesson from the Persistence of Food Insecurity in Low-Income Communities. Ecol Food Nutr 2024; 63:177-190. [PMID: 38454757 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2024.2326925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Cohort study in deprived communities to investigate the persistence of food insecurity (FI) during the COVID-19 was conducted. Sample were derived from a list of mobile phone numbers provided by community leaders and local nonprofit organizations. Temporal trends and prevalence ratios of FI persistence, categorized as "never," "occasional FI," "consistent FI," were calculated. A total of 302 households completed three assessments, the majority nonwhite women. During the follow-up, families covered by social assistance increased; however, their income decreased (p < 0.05). 33% were "consistent," and 46% "occasional" FI. Permanent difficulties accessing gas canisters, hygiene products, and hand sanitizers were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Elke Stedefeldt
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Yuki Tomita
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zangiabadi S, Alghalyini B, Zoubi F, Tamim H. Effect of food insecurity on depression, anxiety, and stress among resettled Syrian refugees in Ontario. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002571. [PMID: 38489325 PMCID: PMC10942079 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Food insecurity has been linked to adverse health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations such as refugees. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress among resettled Syrian refugee parents in Ontario. This was a cross-sectional study with a total of 540 Syrian refugee parents who resided in Ontario for an average of four years and had at least one child less than 18 years who were interviewed. Information about food insecurity was collected based on the question "During the past year, did you ever eat less because there was not enough food or money for food?". Levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between food insecurity and depression, anxiety, and stress after adjusting for sociodemographic, migration-, and health-related factors. 44.6% of respondents reported experiencing food insecurity. Of participants, 7.6%, 8.9%, and 8.5% reported severe to extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that food insecurity was significantly associated with higher levels of depression (Adjβ = 2.00, p = 0.008), anxiety (Adjβ = 1.53, p = 0.013), and stress (Adjβ = 1.87, p = 0.019). Implementation of effective government interventions and frameworks are essential to reduce food insecurity among resettled Syrian refugees to ultimately improve their mental health outcomes and overall well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safoura Zangiabadi
- School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Baraa Alghalyini
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatmeh Zoubi
- Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Hala Tamim
- School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Ejiohuo O, Onyeaka H, Unegbu KC, Chikezie OG, Odeyemi OA, Lawal A, Odeyemi OA. Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental Wellbeing. Nutrients 2024; 16:501. [PMID: 38398825 PMCID: PMC10893396 DOI: 10.3390/nu16040501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Food insecurity is a significant public health problem worldwide and critical to mental health. There is a complex relationship between food security and mental health. We carried out a narrative review study aiming to address how food insecurity impacts mental wellbeing by focusing on the mental health repercussions of food insecurity, recognizing its pivotal role in attaining Sustainable Development Goals 2 (on hunger) and 3 (on enhancing global wellbeing). A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar, incorporating Google searches for pertinent reports and policy documents. To address these questions, we emphasized and elucidated the interconnectedness between food security and mental health. The review shows that food security and mental health share a profound relationship influenced by multifaceted factors like socioeconomic conditions, access to nutritious food, and societal inequalities. We then provide recommendations for integrating food security into mental health strategies based on the insights and conclusions drawn. Strategies ranging from sustainable farming practices to urban agriculture initiatives and digital mental health services demonstrate avenues for enhancing food safety and mental wellbeing. This highlights the need for collaborative interdisciplinary efforts and systemic reforms to address these interconnected challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovinuchi Ejiohuo
- Department of Psychiatric Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Bukowska 70, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
| | - Helen Onyeaka
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kingsley C. Unegbu
- Department of Vegetable Crops, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-594 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Obinna G. Chikezie
- Department of Seed Science and Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 62-081 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Omowale A. Odeyemi
- College of Nursing, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile Ife 220005, Osun, Nigeria;
| | - Adebola Lawal
- Hospital Management Board, Government House and Protocol Clinic, Akure 340283, Ondo, Nigeria;
| | - Olumide A. Odeyemi
- Office of Research Services, Research Division, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia;
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Shangani S, Masa R, Zimba M, Zimba G, Operario D. Food insecurity and depressive symptoms among young people living with HIV in Eastern Zambia. Int J STD AIDS 2024; 35:25-32. [PMID: 37707955 DOI: 10.1177/09564624231201917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Background: Mental health problems are common among people living with HIV/AIDS and contribute to poor HIV-related outcomes, including AIDS-related mortality. We examined the association between severe food insecurity and depressive symptoms in young people living with HIV (YPLH) in Zambia. Methods: We sampled 120 youth living with HIV aged 18-21 years in the Eastern Province of Zambia. Household food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Mental health was assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory-Short Form. We fitted linear regression models to assess whether food insecurity is associated with depressive symptoms. Results: The mean age was 19 years, and 63% were female. Overall, 43% were severely food insecure. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables and other confounders, severely food insecure participants were more likely to report depressive symptoms (β = 0.81, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.07-1.55) and engagement in sex work (β = 1.78, 95% CI 0.32-3.25). Conclusion: Almost half of the sample reported severe food insecurity which was associated with depressive symptoms. Interventions aimed at improving food insecurity may have beneficial effects on mental health and HIV outcomes among young people living with HIV in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Shangani
- School of Public Health, Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rainier Masa
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mathias Zimba
- Rising Fountains Development Program, Lundazi, Zambia
| | - Gilbert Zimba
- Rising Fountains Development Program, Lundazi, Zambia
| | - Don Operario
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Food Security and Depressive Symptoms Among Adult Foreign-Born Immigrants in the US: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Immigr Minor Health 2023; 25:339-349. [PMID: 36083380 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-022-01393-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Foreign-born immigrants are at greater risks of both food insecurity and depressive symptoms, while the association between the two has yet to be elucidated. Our sample includes 6,857 adults aged 20 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine whether the association between food security and depressive symptoms varies across race/ethnicity among US foreign-born immigrants. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 9.6% and 15.7% for low food security (LFS) and very low food security (VLFS). The adjust odds ratios (aORs) of depressive symptoms among Mexican American and Other Hispanic immigrants with VLFS were 2.66 (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.61, 4.38) and 2.05 (95% CI: 1.08, 3.86) as compared to those with full food security (FFS). Race/ethnicity may modify the association between food security and depressive symptoms among US foreign-born immigrants and a dose-response relationship was indicated among Hispanic and Other Race immigrants.
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Liebe RA, Adams LM, Hedrick VE, Serrano EL, Porter KJ, Cook NE, Misyak SA. Developing a conceptual framework for the relationship between food security status and mental health among low-income mothers. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.1078811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionBuilding household resiliency is one strategy that may help insulate households from the effects of food system volatility that contributes to in food insecurity. A stronger understanding of the relationship between food security and mental health is needed to identify potential factors for intervention to improve household resiliency to food system stressors. Because mothers often make household food decisions, they are an important population for building household resiliency. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a conceptual framework for the relationship between food security and mental health for low-income mothers and to identify potential targets for intervention.MethodsA conceptual framework was developed based on the existing literature on mental health and food security, as well as factors that impact both constructs. This framework was tested by a path analysis using data from a 2021 cross-sectional survey of low-income Virginia mothers that used validated scales to assess food security status, indicators of mental and physical health, food coping strategies, and social support.Results and discussionThe initial model was systematically adapted to develop the final retained model. The retained model did not include a direct effect of food security on mental health, but highlighted two significant mediators of the relationship, food coping strategies and social support. While the effect of social support was not practically significant, the effects of food coping strategies as a mediator from food security to perceived stress and life satisfaction were small (β = 0.21, 0.14, respectively; p < 0.001). The retained model provides a framework for understanding the relationship between food security and mental health and highlights potential targets for intervention. Notably, reducing the need for mothers to utilize food coping strategies should be targeted on multiple levels to reduce the impact on mental health and ultimately improve resiliency to future food system shocks.
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Assessing the relationship between domestic work experience and musculoskeletal health among rural Nigerian women. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276380. [PMID: 36512538 PMCID: PMC9747006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women performing strenuous domestic tasks (especially those in developing countries) are at risk of experiencing musculoskeletal pain (MSP). Physical, psychosocial, and social conditions of work in rural environments contribute to women's domestic work experiences (DWEs) and the risk of MSP. The impact of DWEs on women's health is especially severe in water-insecure countries like Nigeria. This study examines the relationship between a recently developed measure of DWEs and self-reported pain in the lower back (LBP), neck/shoulder (NSP), and elbow/hand/wrist regions (EHWP) among rural Nigerian women. METHODS Interviewer-administered survey data were collected from 356 women in four rural communities of Ibadan, Nigeria. Binary and ordinal logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between DWE factor scores, sociodemographic characteristics, and musculoskeletal pain symptoms and severity after controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Effect estimates of association were presented using the odds ratio (OR), and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) at p-value of 0.05. FINDINGS Among 356 participants, the 2-month prevalence of LBP was 58%, NSP was 30%, and EWHP 30%. High DWE scores were significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing and having more severe LBP, NSP, and EHWP. Specifically, the odds of LBP [(OR = 2.88; 95% CI = 1.64-5.11), NSP (OR = 4.58; 95% CI = 2.29-9.40) and EHWP (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.26-3.77)] were significantly higher among women who perceived their domestic work responsibilities as very stressful (i.e., 'high stress appraisal') compared to those with lower stress appraisal scores. Those who were time-pressured and had less autonomy over familial duties (i.e., 'high demand/low control') had significantly higher odds of LBP [(OR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.64-4.09) and NSP (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.24-2.58)]. Frequently fetching and carrying water over long distances and time (i.e., 'high water sourcing and carriage') was also associated with higher odds of LBP [(OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.09-1.79) and NSP (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.08-1.76). CONCLUSION Strenuous and stressful DWEs were associated with MSP among rural Nigerian women. This study provides new evidence on how the physical, social, and psychosocial factors of domestic work can increase women's risk of MSP.
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Karam J, Haddad C, Sacre H, Serhan M, Salameh P, Jomaa L. Financial Wellbeing and Quality of Life Among a Sample of the Lebanese Population: The Mediating Effect of Food Insecurity. Front Nutr 2022; 9:906646. [PMID: 35967774 PMCID: PMC9364834 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.906646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lebanon is undergoing multiple overlapping crises, affecting the food security, financial well-being, and quality of life (QOL) of its residents. Objective The primary objective was to assess the food insecurity (FI) status of a sample of the Lebanese population. The second objective was to explore factors related to QOL parameters and evaluate the mediating effect of food security between financial well-being and QOL. Methods The study was cross-sectional and enrolled 412 participants recruited online using the snowball sampling technique. The survey included questions related to sociodemographic and economic characteristics of Lebanese households and validated scales to assess FI, QOL measures, financial well-being, and fear of COVID-19. Results Almost 43% of the study participants reported being food insecure, with 31% experiencing mild FI, 10% moderate FI, and 1.5% severe FI. Compared to food-insecure participants, food secure participants had a significantly higher income (58.5% vs. 39.2%, p < 0.001), a university education level (96.6% vs. 88.1%, p = 0.002), an average perceived financial status (83.9% vs. 65.9%), higher financial well-being scores (5.14 vs. 3.19, p < 0.001), and lower crowding index (0.94 ± 0.4 vs. 1.09, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that FI was not associated with physical (Beta = −1.48, 95% CI: −3.10; 0.13) and mental (Beta = −1.46, 95% CI −3.68; 0.75) QOL, after adjusting for other demographic and socioeconomic correlates. This association remained non-significant when introducing the financial well-being variable to the model. Mediation analyses showed that the FI variable mediated the association between financial well-being and physical QOL (Beta = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.02; 0.36), but not the mental QOL (Beta = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.20; 0.14). Conclusion Food insecurity was prevalent in our study sample, and it mediated the association between financial well-being and physical, but not mental, QOL parameters. These findings call for evidence-based policies and programs to help improve the food security and well-being of Lebanese households amidst these unprecedented circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Karam
- Nutrition Department, Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie (INSPECT-LB), Beirut, Lebanon.,School of Health Sciences, Modern University of Business and Science, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chadia Haddad
- Nutrition Department, Institut National de Santé Publique, d'Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie (INSPECT-LB), Beirut, Lebanon.,School of Health Sciences, Modern University of Business and Science, Beirut, Lebanon.,Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hala Sacre
- School of Health Sciences, Modern University of Business and Science, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mireille Serhan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- School of Health Sciences, Modern University of Business and Science, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus.,School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Lamis Jomaa
- Department of Human Sciences, College of Health and Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Dou N, Murray-Kolb LE, Mitchell DC, Melgar-Quiñonez H, Na M. Food Insecurity and Mental Well-Being in Immigrants: A Global Analysis. Am J Prev Med 2022; 63:301-311. [PMID: 35660048 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study estimates the prevalence of food insecurity, mental well-being, and their associations among immigrants and compares the food insecurity-mental well-being associations with nonimmigrants globally and by region. METHODS The Gallup World Poll data from 2014 to 2019 were analyzed in 2021. A total of 36,313 immigrants and 705,913 nonimmigrants were included. Food insecurity was measured by the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Mental well-being was assessed using the Negative Experience Index and Positive Experience Index. A community attachment index was used to measure the living environment. Multilevel mixed-effect linear models were used to examine how the Negative Experience Index/Positive Experience Index was associated with food insecurity and the community attachment index in immigrants and nonimmigrants, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, survey years, and country fixed effects. The modifying effects of immigration status on food insecurity-mental well-being associations were tested. RESULTS The weighted proportion of food insecurity among global immigrants was 38.6% during 2014-2019. In the pooled adjusted model, food insecurity was dose-responsively associated with greater Negative Experience Index and lower Positive Experience Index than the food-secure ref (p<0.001 for trend). Similar dose-response associations were observed in nonimmigrants and in region-specific analyses. Community attachment marginally affected the food insecurity-mental well-being associations (all p≤0.001 for interaction). Immigration status significantly modified the food insecurity-mental well-being associations in all analyses (all p=0.01 for interaction), and immigrants experienced poorer mental well-being than nonimmigrants at the same level of community attachment and food insecurity. CONCLUSIONS Food insecurity is prevalent and is associated with poor mental well-being in immigrants worldwide. Future interventions are needed to alleviate food insecurity and promote community attachment to improve mental health among immigrants, especially in Asian and Pacific countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Dou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Laura E Murray-Kolb
- Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Diane C Mitchell
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez
- McGill Institute for Global Food Security, School of Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Muzi Na
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.
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Understanding the Relationship between Food Security and Mental Health for Food-Insecure Mothers in Virginia. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071491. [PMID: 35406104 PMCID: PMC9003049 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Food insecurity, which disproportionately impacts mothers, can have chronic consequences on physical and mental health. There is a relationship between food insecurity and mental health, but the relationship’s mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to understand how mental health outcomes differ by food insecurity severity and race among Virginia mothers. A cross-sectional survey employed previously validated food security status measures, physical and mental health, social support, and food coping strategies. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank-order correlations, linear regression, and chi-squared with effect sizes. Overall, respondents (n = 1029) reported worse mental health than the U.S. average (44.3 ± 10.1 and 50, respectively). There was a large effect of food security on mental health (d = 0.6), with worse mental health outcomes for mothers experiencing very low food security (VLFS) than low food security (LFS; p < 0.001). There was a small effect of race on mental health (φc = 0.02), with Black mothers having better mental health than White mothers (p < 0.001). Compared to mothers experiencing LFS, mothers experiencing VLFS had less social support (d = 0.5) and used more food coping strategies, especially financial strategies (d = −1.5; p < 0.001). This study suggests that food-insecure mothers experience stressors and lack adequate social support, which is even more distinct for mothers experiencing VLFS.
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Sharpe I, Davison CM. Investigating the role of climate-related disasters in the relationship between food insecurity and mental health for youth aged 15-24 in 142 countries. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000560. [PMID: 36962728 PMCID: PMC10021754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Food insecurity (FI) represents a major global health challenge. Because climate-related disasters are a determinant of both FI and poor mental health, we investigated whether the severity of these disasters intensifies the relationship between FI and youth mental health. Data on FI and mental health came from the Gallup World Poll, a nationally representative survey of individuals in 142 countries, which included 28,292 youth aged 15-24. Data on climate-related disasters came from the International Disaster Database, a country-level record of disasters. Multilevel negative binomial regression was used to calculate relative risk (RR) of poor mental health. Youth with moderate or severe FI were significantly more likely to report poor mental health experiences compared to those with none/mild FI (moderate: RR 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-1.41; severe: 1.60, 95% CI 1.54-1.66). We also observed a weak yet significant interaction effect (p<0.0001), which suggested that the country-level relationship between FI and poor mental health is slightly stronger at greater disaster severity. While further research is needed to improve our understanding of these complex relationships, these findings suggest that mental health should be considered when undertaking national climate change actions and that additional FI-related supports may work to improve youth mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Sharpe
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colleen M Davison
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Osinuga A, Janssen B, Fethke NB, Story WT, Imaledo JA, Baker KK. Understanding Rural Women's Domestic Work Experiences (DWE) in Ibadan, Nigeria: Development of a Measurement Tool Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111043. [PMID: 34769564 PMCID: PMC8582860 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gender norms prescribe domestic labor as primarily a female's responsibility in developing countries. Many domestic tasks depend on access to water, so the physical, emotional, and time demands of domestic labor may be exacerbated for women living in water-insecure environments. We developed a set of domestic work experience (DWE) measures tailored to work in rural areas in developing countries, assessed rural Nigerian women's DWE, and examined relationships among the measures. Interviewer-administered survey data were collected between August and September from 256 women in four rural Nigerian communities. Latent factors of DWE were identified by analyzing survey items using confirmatory factor analysis. Pearson's correlation was used to examine relationships among latent factor scores, and multivariate linear regression models were used to determine if factor scores significantly differed across socio-demographic characteristics. The DWE measures consisted of latent factors of the physical domain (frequency of common domestic tasks, water sourcing and carriage, experience of water scarcity), the psychosocial domain (stress appraisal and demand-control), and the social domain (social support). Significant correlations were observed among the latent factors within and across domains. Results revealed the importance of measuring rural Nigerian women's DWE using multiple and contextual approaches rather than relying solely on one exposure measure. Multiple inter-related factors contributed to women's DWE. Water insecurity exacerbated the physical and emotional demands of domestic labor DWE varied across age categories and pregnancy status among rural Nigerian women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abisola Osinuga
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (B.J.); (N.B.F.); (K.K.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-3195126701
| | - Brandi Janssen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (B.J.); (N.B.F.); (K.K.B.)
| | - Nathan B Fethke
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (B.J.); (N.B.F.); (K.K.B.)
| | - William T Story
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
| | - John A Imaledo
- Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria;
| | - Kelly K Baker
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (B.J.); (N.B.F.); (K.K.B.)
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Profiles of Food Insecurity: Similarities and Differences across Selected CEE Countries. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14165070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Food security (FS) is influenced by primarily financial but also sociodemographic factors. Identification of correlates of food insecurity (FI) is a crucial issue in the context of achieving sustainable development goals. The aims of the study were: (1) to recognize FI in the selected Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, (2) to examine common socioeconomic and demographic characteristics for FI. The analysis used the set of eight-item FI indicators adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization, applying the Gallup World Poll survey data from 2017 to 2019. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine FI at mild and moderate or severe levels compared with FS. Differences in the profiles of FI were observed in analyzed countries: Poland, Lithuania and Slovakia. Lithuanians experienced the lowest FS, and Slovaks the highest. The FI status was associated with education, gender, age, household composition and income. It was found that the impact of these factors was not the same in the examined countries. Differences in profiles of FI in CEE countries indicate the need to analyze the problem individually for each country. Identifying groups particularly vulnerable to FI may allow appropriate targeting of instruments counteracting FI and adapt them to people with different characteristics.
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Trudell JP, Burnet ML, Ziegler BR, Luginaah I. The impact of food insecurity on mental health in Africa: A systematic review. Soc Sci Med 2021; 278:113953. [PMID: 33971482 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In 2018, 676.1 million people in Africa (52.5% of the population) were moderately or severely food insecure. This exceptionally high prevalence continues to increase as Africa experiences conflict, climate change, and economic declines. When Sustainable Development Goal 2.1 set out to end hunger and ensure access to sufficient food, particularly for vulnerable populations, by 2030, food insecurity emerged as a global priority. Food insecurity has been hypothesized to negatively impact mental health, a stigmatized area of health in Africa for which care is often inaccessible. This systematic review examines existing literature on the relationship between food insecurity and mental health in Africa, where progress remains to be made on both fronts. A systematic search of seven databases (EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO ProQuest, Medline Ovid, Scopus, and Nursing and Allied Health) was conducted. Results were limited to studies examining food insecurity and mental health, written in English and published between January 2000 and May 2020. After title, abstract, full-text review, and quality appraisal using tools from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 64 studies remained. Findings were summarized using a narrative synthesis approach. Studies unanimously highlighted that food insecurity is associated with poor mental health. This relationship was dose-responsive and independent of the measured mental health outcome. Two highly represented groups in the literature were women around pregnancy and people affected by HIV/AIDS. Factors which mediated the relationship included age, sex, social interactions, physical health, seasonality, and rural residence. The findings suggest that the relationship is likely amplified in specific populations such as women and seniors, and interventions which target livelihood as opposed to income may be more effective. Further research is needed which compares food insecurity's effect on mental health between at-risk populations, in order to guide resource allocation and context-specific policy making.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Trudell
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Maddison L Burnet
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Bianca R Ziegler
- Department of Geography, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada; Environment Health and Hazards Lab, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada.
| | - Isaac Luginaah
- Department of Geography, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada; Environment Health and Hazards Lab, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
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15
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Jesson J, Dietrich J, Beksinska M, Closson K, Nduna M, Smit J, Brockman M, Ndung'u T, Gray G, Kaida A. Food insecurity and depression: a cross-sectional study of a multi-site urban youth cohort in Durban and Soweto, South Africa. Trop Med Int Health 2021; 26:687-700. [PMID: 33666301 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of food insecurity and the independent association between depression and food insecurity among youth living in two urban settings in South Africa. METHODS Baseline cross-sectional survey data was analysed from a prospective cohort study conducted between 2014 and 2016 among youth (aged 16-24 years) in Soweto and Durban. Interviewer-administered questionnaires collecting socio-demographic, sexual and reproductive health and mental health data were conducted. Household food insecurity was measured using the 3-item Household Hunger Scale, with food insecure participants defined as having 'moderate' or 'severe hunger' compared to 'no hunger'. Depression was assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D 10) Scale (range 0-30, probable depression ≥ 10). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between depression and food insecurity. RESULTS There were 422 participants. Median age was 19 years (interquartile range [IQR] 18-21) and 60% were women. Overall, 18% were food insecure and 42% had probable depression. After adjustment for socio-demographic variables (age, gender, female-headed household, household size and school enrolment), participants with probable depression had higher odds of being food insecure than non-depressed participants (2.79, 95%CI 1.57-4.94). CONCLUSION Nearly one-fifth of youth in this study were food insecure. Those with probable depression had increased odds of food insecurity. Interventions are needed to address food insecurity among urban youth in South Africa, combining nutritional support and better access to quality food with mental health support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Jesson
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Janan Dietrich
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mags Beksinska
- Maternal Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kalysha Closson
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mzikazi Nduna
- Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jenni Smit
- Maternal Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mark Brockman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme and Africa Health Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany.,Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Glenda Gray
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Office of the President, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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16
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Food security mediates the decrease in women's depressive symptoms in a participatory nutrition-sensitive agroecology intervention in rural Tanzania. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:4682-4692. [PMID: 33706829 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021001014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate if food security mediated the impact of a nutrition-sensitive agroecology intervention on women's depressive symptoms. DESIGN We used annual longitudinal data (four time points) from a cluster-randomised effectiveness trial of a participatory nutrition-sensitive agroecology intervention, the Singida Nutrition and Agroecology Project. Structural equation modelling estimation of total, natural direct and natural indirect effects was used to investigate food security's role in the intervention's impact on women's risk of probable depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale > 17) across 3 years. SETTING Rural Singida, Tanzania. PARTICIPANTS 548 food insecure, married, smallholder women farmers with children < 1 year old at baseline. RESULTS At baseline, one-third of the women in each group had probable depression (Control: 32·0 %, Intervention: 31·9 %, P difference = 0·97). The intervention lowered the odds of probable depression by 43 % (OR = 0·57, 95 % CI: 0·43, 0·70). Differences in food insecurity explained approximately 10 percentage points of the effects of the intervention on odds of probable depression (OR = 0·90, 95 % CI: 0·83, 0·95). CONCLUSIONS This is the first evidence of the strong, positive effect that lowering food insecurity has on reducing women's depressive symptoms. Nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions can have broader impacts than previously demonstrated, i.e. improvements in mental health; changes in food security play an important causal role in this pathway. As such, these data suggest participatory nutrition-sensitive agroecology interventions have the potential to be an accessible method of improving women's well-being in farming communities.
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17
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Gajda R, Jeżewska-Zychowicz M. The importance of social financial support in reducing food insecurity among elderly people. Food Secur 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12571-021-01151-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThe growing number of elderly people who are at increased risk of food insecurity for a variety of reasons, including financial ones, requires the current situation to be monitored. The purpose of this research was therefore to determine: (1) how older people perceive their situation in terms of food security; (2) whether older people use any form of external financial support; and (3) the relationship between people’s perception of their food security and the use of financial support from social services and their family. The survey was conducted on a group of 1150 people aged 65 years and above at the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. In total, 762 questionnaires were analysed for the study. The study was conducted in the Świętokrzyskie and Śląskie voivodeships (provinces). Multivariate correspondence analysis (MCA) and the chi-square test were used to compare qualitative variables describing food security, financial assistance and socio-demographic features. Over two thirds of the respondents declared that they had no need of financial assistance from the social services or their family. Two categories of variables were selected using the MCA method: people who declared that their household had food security and that they had no need for financial assistance from social services or their family, and people who said they did not have food security and simultaneously used financial assistance or did not use such assistance but had financial problems. Place of residence and household composition were features that significantly distinguished the opinions about the lack of food security. Financial social programmes and the social education of families should be improved to minimize the risk of food insecurity in households of elderly people, especially those not benefiting from financial social support.
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Elgar FJ, Pickett W, Pförtner TK, Gariépy G, Gordon D, Georgiades K, Davison C, Hammami N, MacNeil AH, Azevedo Da Silva M, Melgar-Quiñonez HR. Relative food insecurity, mental health and wellbeing in 160 countries. Soc Sci Med 2021; 268:113556. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Hammami N, Leatherdale ST, Elgar FJ. Does social support moderate the association between hunger and mental health in youth? A gender-specific investigation from the Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. Nutr J 2020; 19:134. [PMID: 33278886 PMCID: PMC7719255 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-020-00648-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Youth who go hungry have poorer mental health than their counterparts - there are gender differences in this relationship. This study investigated the role of social support in the association between hunger and mental health among a nationally representative sample of youth in Canada in gender-specific analyses. METHODS We used a probability-based sample of 21,750 youth in grades 6-10 who participated in the 2017-2018 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children. Self-report data were gathered on hunger, mental health (measured via the World Health Organization-5 well-being index) and five sources of support - peer, family and teacher support as well as the school climate and neighborhood support. We conducted adjusted, gender-specific, multilevel regression analyses assessing the association between mental health, social support and hunger. RESULTS We found that youth who reported lower support were more likely to experience going to bed hungry (relative to never hungry) across all support factors. As for the social support factors, all the social support factors were associated with a higher mental health score, even after controlling for hunger. Despite these results our final set of models showed that our measures of social support did not alleviate the negative association between hunger and mental health. As for gender-specific findings, the negative association between hunger and a mental health was more pronounced among females relative to their male counterparts. We also found that certain social support factors (i.e., family, teacher and neighborhood support) were associated with a higher mental health score among females relative to males while controlling for hunger status. CONCLUSIONS We find that five social support factors are associated with a higher mental health score among ever hungry youth; however, social support did not overpower the negative association between hunger and mental health. Food insecurity is a challenge to address holistically; however, hungry youth who have high social support have higher odds of better mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Hammami
- Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, 1130 Pine Avenue West, Room B4, Montreal, Quebec H3A1A3 Canada
| | - Scott T. Leatherdale
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L3G1 Canada
| | - Frank J. Elgar
- Institute for Health and Social Policy and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Avenue des Pins, Montreal, Quebec H3A1A1 Canada
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20
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Pérez-Escamilla R, Vilar-Compte M, Gaitan-Rossi P. Why identifying households by degree of food insecurity matters for policymaking. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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21
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Dou N, Xie D, Gao X, Palacios N, Falcon LM, Tucker KL, Na M. Psychosocial Risk Factors for Food Insecurity in Puerto Ricans Living in the USA from Baseline to 5-Year Follow-Up. J Nutr 2020; 150:2199-2203. [PMID: 32614404 PMCID: PMC7398775 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food insecurity is prevalent among Puerto Rican adults in the USA and is associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. However, the direction of this association has not been established in this understudied population. OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to examine the longitudinal association between a group of psychosocial risk factors and subsequent food insecurity in a cohort of Puerto Rican adults. METHODS Secondary analysis was conducted using data from the prospective Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. A total of 517 Puerto Rican participants aged 45-75 y in the Boston area who were food secure at baseline, and who completed food security surveys at baseline and 5 y were included. Psychosocial factors, including depressive symptoms, stress, tangible social support, and acculturation were assessed with validated instruments. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the risk of food insecurity at 5 y, as a function of psychosocial factors at baseline and their changes over 5 y, adjusting for age, sex, education, baseline and change in total annual household income, and in family size. RESULTS The cumulative incidence of food insecurity at 5 y was 12.6%. The odds of incident food insecurity was significantly associated with baseline depressive symptom score [OR = 1.78 (1.16, 2.76) per each 10 score units], with change in depressive symptom score [OR = 1.50 (1.07, 2.09) per each 10-unit increase], and with change in perceived stress [OR = 1.59 (1.01, 2.51) per each 10-unit increase], after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSION In this cohort of Puerto Rican adults, depressive symptoms at baseline, and increases in depressive symptoms and perceived stress over 5 y were associated with a higher risk of food insecurity. Psychosocial health and environment appear to play important roles in predicting risk of food insecurity in the Puerto Rican community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Dou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Dixin Xie
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Natalia Palacios
- Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA,Department of Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA,Department of Veterans Affairs, ENRM VA Hospital, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Luis M Falcon
- College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Katherine L Tucker
- Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Muzi Na
- Address correspondence to MN (E-mail: )
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22
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Mushavi RC, Burns BFO, Kakuhikire B, Owembabazi M, Vořechovská D, McDonough AQ, Cooper-Vince CE, Baguma C, Rasmussen JD, Bangsberg DR, Tsai AC. "When you have no water, it means you have no peace": A mixed-methods, whole-population study of water insecurity and depression in rural Uganda. Soc Sci Med 2020; 245:112561. [PMID: 31790879 PMCID: PMC6936324 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of access to clean water has well known implications for communicable disease risks, but the broader construct of water insecurity is little studied, and its mental health impacts are even less well understood. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a mixed-methods, whole-population study in rural Uganda to estimate the association between water insecurity and depression symptom severity, and to identify the mechanisms underlying the observed association. The whole-population sample included 1776 adults (response rate, 91.5%). Depression symptom severity was measured using a modified 15-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist for Depression. Water insecurity was measured with a locally validated 8-item Household Water Insecurity Access Scale. We fitted multivariable linear and Poisson regression models to the data to estimate the association between water insecurity and depression symptom severity, adjusting for age, marital status, self-reported overall health, household asset wealth, and educational attainment. These models showed that water insecurity was associated with depression symptom severity (b = 0.009; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.004-0.15) and that the estimated association was larger among men (b = 0.012; 95% CI, 0.008-0.015) than among women (b = 0.008; 95% CI, 0.004-0.012. We conducted qualitative interviews with a sub-group of 30 participants, focusing on women given their traditional role in household water procurement in the Ugandan context. Qualitative analysis, following an inductive approach, showed that water insecurity led to "choice-less-ness" and undesirable social outcomes, which in turn led to emotional distress. These pathways were amplified by gender-unequal norms. CONCLUSIONS Among men and women in rural Uganda, the association between water insecurity and depression symptom severity is statistically significant, substantive in magnitude, and robust to potential confounding. Data from the qualitative interviews provide key narratives that reveal the mechanisms through which women's lived experiences with water insecurity may lead to emotional distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumbidzai C Mushavi
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
| | - Bridget F O Burns
- Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, USA; Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amy Q McDonough
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | | | - Charles Baguma
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Justin D Rasmussen
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, USA
| | - David R Bangsberg
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; Oregon Health and Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, USA
| | - Alexander C Tsai
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Cambridge, USA
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Sousa LRMD, Segall-Corrêa AM, Ville AS, Melgar-Quiñonez H. Food security status in times of financial and political crisis in Brazil. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2019; 35:e00084118. [PMID: 31365699 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00084118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study sought to describe the changes in the food security status in Brazil before and during its most recent financial and political crisis, as well as to explore associations between food security and socioeconomic factors during the crisis. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from two different sources: the Brazilian National Household Sample Survey for 2004 (n = 112,479), 2009 (n = 120,910), and 2013 (n = 116,192); and the Gallup World Poll for 2015 (n = 1,004), 2016 (n = 1,002), and 2017 (n = 1,001). Household food security status was measured by a shorter version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, consisting of the first 8 questions of the original 14-item scale. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the changes in food security and their association with socioeconomic factors. Results suggest that during the crisis the percentage of households classified as food secure declined by one third (76% in 2013 to 49% in 2017) while severe food insecurity tripled (4% in 2013 to 12% in 2017). Whereas before the crisis (2013) 44% of the poorest households were food secure, by 2017 this decreased to 26%. Household income per capita was strongly associated with food security, increasing by six times the chances of being food insecure among the poorest strata. Those who reported a low job climate, social support or level of education were twice as likely to be food insecure. Despite significant improvements between 2004 and 2013, findings indicate that during the crisis Brazil suffered from a great deterioration of food security, highlighting the need for emergency policies to protect and guarantee access to food for the most vulnerable.
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