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Muir JA, Dheresa M, Madewell ZJ, Getachew T, Daraje G, Mengesha G, Whitney CG, Assefa N, Cunningham SA. Prevalence of food insecurity amid COVID-19 lockdowns and sociodemographic indicators of household vulnerability in Harar and Kersa, Ethiopia. BMC Nutr 2024; 10:7. [PMID: 38195646 PMCID: PMC10777627 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-023-00815-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 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 resource-limited countries, we examine food insecurity during the pandemic period. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study and used 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. The study is set in two communities in Eastern Ethiopia, one rural (Kersa) and one urban (Harar), and included a random sample of 880 households. 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. CONCLUSIONS After taking individual and household level sociodemographic characteristics into consideration, households in urban areas were at higher risk for food insecurity. These findings suggest a need for expanding food assistance programs to more urban areas to help mitigate the impact of lockdowns on more vulnerable households.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zachary J Madewell
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Health Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
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K. C. D, Shrestha N, Shrestha R, Sunuwar DR, Poudyal A. Household food security access and dietary diversity amidst COVID-19 pandemic in rural Nepal; an evidence from rapid assessment. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293514. [PMID: 37910536 PMCID: PMC10619797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic led to surging concerns about food insecurity status throughout the world. In response to global and national concerns on food and nutrition security, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and determining factors of household food insecurity and dietary diversity among people from selected rural municipalities of Lalitpur district, Nepal. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 432 households. Pretested structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, household income; influence of COVID-19 on their income and livelihood, household's access to food and dietary diversity. Food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). A multivariable analysis was done using binary logistic regression model following a bivariate analysis to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables. RESULTS More than one-third (36%) of the households reported some form of food insecurity. The overall mean score for Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) was 6.0 (±1.1). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that participants aged 41-64 years (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.21-0.59), those over 64 years (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07-0.66), as well as those in service occupation (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.77) were associated with lower odds of HFIAS. Conversely, Participants belonging to a disadvantaged ethnic group (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.23-6.07), having no education (aOR = 3.70, 95% CI: 1.16-11.71) or primary education (aOR = 3.67, 95% CI: 1.23-9.89), and those suffering from chronic illness (aOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.53-6.35) were associated with higher odds of HFIAS. As for HDDS, participants aged 41-64 years (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28-0.83) were associated with lower odds of HDDS, while participants having no education (aOR = 10.05, 95% CI: 4.05-24.01) were associated with significantly higher odds of HDDS. CONCLUSION Owing to the pandemic, our study showed a substantial prevalence of food insecurity among diverse community residing in rural outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, particularly among disadvantaged ethnic group and people with lower level of education. Interventions targeting these particular groups may help in improving HFIAS and HDDS among them during emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirghayu K. C.
- Public Health Promotion and Development Organization, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Namuna Shrestha
- Public Health Promotion and Development Organization, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Rachana Shrestha
- Public Health and Environment Research Center, (PERC), Kathmandu, Nepal
- Knowledge To Action (K2A), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Dev Ram Sunuwar
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Anil Poudyal
- Public Health Promotion and Development Organization, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Muir JA, Dheresa M, Madewell ZJ, Getachew T, Daraje G, Mengesha G, Whitney CG, Assefa N, Cunningham SA. Household hardships and responses to COVID-19 pandemic-related shocks in Eastern Ethiopia. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2086. [PMID: 37880613 PMCID: PMC10598954 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16982-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 resulted in enormous disruption to life around the world. To quell disease spread, governments implemented lockdowns that likely created hardships for households. To improve knowledge of consequences, we examine how the pandemic period was associated with household hardships and assess factors associated with these hardships. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study using quasi-Poisson regression to examine factors associated with household hardships. Data were collected between August and September of 2021 from a random sample of 880 households living within a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) located in the Harari Region and the District of Kersa, both in Eastern Ethiopia. RESULTS Having a head of household with no education, residing in a rural area, larger household size, lower income and/or wealth, and community responses to COVID-19, including lockdowns and travel restrictions, were independently associated with experiencing household hardships. CONCLUSIONS Our results identify characteristics of groups at-risk for household hardships during the pandemic; these findings may inform efforts to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 and future disease outbreaks.
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Raholiarimanana F, Rakotomanana H, Ishida A. Does Raising Livestock Improve Household Food Security and Child Dietary Diversity in a Rural Region of Madagascar? CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10050765. [PMID: 37238313 DOI: 10.3390/children10050765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries and has an alarming prevalence of food insecurity and child undernutrition. Most of the Malagasy population live from agricultural activities making livestock a livelihood asset and a source of animal-source foods, especially for smallholder farmers. This study aimed to examine the association between livestock ownership, household food security, and children's dietary diversity in a rural region of Madagascar. Data from a cross-sectional survey of 344 respondents were used to assess the association between household tropical livestock units (TLU) per capita, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) scores, and dietary diversity scores (DDSs) among children aged 6-23 months. The estimation results from the ordered probit model showed that household TLU per capita is negatively associated with HFIAS scores and positively associated with DDSs among children. Additionally, households with mothers who received information on childcare and nutrition from health facilities and community nutrition agents were more likely to be food secure and have better dietary diversity. Therefore, promoting livestock ownership and strengthening nutrition-sensitive messages focusing on the benefits of raising livestock to mothers from rural Madagascar will likely be effective in improving household food security and nutrition for children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hasina Rakotomanana
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Akira Ishida
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
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Yazew T, Daba A, Hordofa L, Garedew G, Negash A, Merga G, Bakala T. Covid-19 related factors to food security and dietary diversity among urban households in western Oromia, Ethiopia. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14476. [PMID: 36942244 PMCID: PMC10008806 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aims to assess factors associated with food security and dietary diversity among poor urban households of western Oromia, Ethiopia, after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in May to June 2021 with 361 poor urban households in the Horo Guduru Wollega zone, western Oromia, Ethiopia. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Twenty-four hour reminder points were used to assess household dietary diversity, and household food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale tool. Data were evaluated using the statistical software SPSS version 25.0. Results This study showed a prevalence of food insecurity in households of 59.6%. The mean and standard deviation of household dietary diversity values were 4.19 ± 1.844. Family size (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI:3.295-21.92), monthly income (AOR = 3.52; 95% CI; 1.771-6.986), dietary diversity (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI; 3.92-18.59), knowledge (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.08-)8.347), attitude (AOR = 8.35, 95% CI:3.112-22.39) and practices against Covid-19 (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI:1.299-11.4) were factors significantly associated with food insecurity. Variables like educational status (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI:1.44-8.312), increased family size after the Covid-19 pandemic (AOR = 2.26; 95% CI:1.02-5.04), food security (AOR = 6.7; 95% CI:4.01-19.01), knowledge (AOR = 3.96; 95% CI:1.57-10.0), attitude (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI:1.75-8.82) and practices toward coronavirus (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI:2.18-23.95) were predictors significantly associated with dietary diversity. Conclusion This study concluded that family size, monthly income, and dietary diversity were factors contributed to household food security. On the other hand, variables such as educational status, family size, and food security were highly relevant factors for dietary diversity after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices were also variables related to both household food security and dietary diversity. Therefore, immediate interventions such as nutrition-specific interventions can be suggested to address food insecurity and problems of inadequate food intake in poor urban households. In addition, governmental and non-governmental organizations should raise awareness and policies to support those at higher risk by developing affordable, sustainable and targeted social protection systems that ensure food security and adequate dietary intake at the household level.
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Key Words
- AOR, Adjusted Odd Ratio
- Associated factors
- CI, Confidence Level
- COR, Crude Odd Ratio
- Covid-19
- Dietary diversity
- EU, European Union
- Ethiopia
- Food security
- HFIAS, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale
- NPC, National Planning Commission
- SPSS, Statistical Package for Social Sciences
- UN, United Nations
- USD, United states Dollar
- USDA, United States Department of Agriculture
- Urban
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamiru Yazew
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, 245, Ethiopia
| | - Agama Daba
- Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Wollega University, Nekemte, 395, Ethiopia
| | - Lelisa Hordofa
- Department of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Resource Management and Economics, Wollega University, Nekemte, 395, Ethiopia
| | - Girma Garedew
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, 245, Ethiopia
| | - Abdi Negash
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, 245, Ethiopia
| | - Gizachew Merga
- Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Salale University, Fitche, 245, Ethiopia
| | - Tasama Bakala
- Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Wollega University, Nekemte, 395, Ethiopia
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Spatial exploration of non-resilience to food insecurity, its association with COVID-19 and household coping strategies in East Gojjam districts, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15511. [PMID: 36109660 PMCID: PMC9476421 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19963-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant multifaceted threat to the global community. Ethiopia, as a Sub-Saharan African country, is suffering from chronic food insecurity, and the emergence of such a pandemic will exacerbate the situation. As a result, this study investigated the spatial variation of non-resilience to food insecurity, its relationship with COVID-19, and household coping strategies to become resilient in the long run among households in the East Gojjam Zone of Northwest Ethiopia. From September 22 to December 24, 2020, an agro-ecological-based cross-sectional study of 3532 households was conducted to assess the spatial distribution and associated factors of non-resilience to household food insecurity. The enumeration areas (EAs) and households were chosen using a multistage sampling technique. Data were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist using an Android device loaded with an Open Data Kit (ODK) template. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the specific factors associated with household non-resilience to food insecurity. A thematic analysis was conducted to investigate the opportunities and challenges of resilience for household food insecurity. Nearly two-thirds (62.5%) of the households were farmers, 67.9% lived in rural areas, and nearly three-quarters (73.8%) earned less than or equal to ETB 2100 per month. Males headed more than four-fifths of the households (81.7%). We found that nearly two-thirds of the households (60.02%), 95% CI 58.40, 61.64) were food insecure. After bivariate logistic regression, we found that households who were divorced (AOR = 2.54 (1.65, 3.87)), daily laborers (AOR = 2.37 (1.15, 4.87)), government employees (AOR = 2.06 (1.05, 4.05)), residents of highland and hot areas (AOR = 11.5 (5.37, 16.77)) and lowland areas (AOR = 1.35 (1.02, 3.15)) were frustrated by COVID-19 (AOR = 1.23 (1.02, 1.50)) and price inflation (1.89 (AOR = 1.42, 2.56))) were at higher odds of being non-resilient to household food insecurity at a 95% confidence level. Geospatial hot spot analysis revealed that Kurar kebele (the lowest government administrative unit) in Dejen District and Debre Markos town were the red-hotspot areas of household non-resilience to food insecurity. Less than a quarter of the households attempted to cope with food insecurity by adjusting their food consumption, while more than 60% of the households chose none of the coping strategies tested. According to the thematic analysis, the degree of poverty (lack of asset ownership), the COVID-19 pandemic, farm decreased variety, and low crop productivity were identified as challenges to coping with the hardship of resilience to food insecurity. During the COVID-19 pandemic and public emergency, the proportion of households that were unprepared for food insecurity reached its peak. It was recognized that a segment of the population with low economic capacity was more vulnerable to food insecurity and less resilient. Tough developmental gains will be undermined in this case. As a result, each responsible body and stakeholder should develop and implement solid corrective plans for the local context.
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Akter MS, Talsma EF, Feskens EJM, Thilsted SH, Rasheed S. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect food environment, food purchase, and fish consumption among low-income urban households in Bangladesh-A path analysis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:994236. [PMID: 36187611 PMCID: PMC9521681 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.994236] [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: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Animal source foods, especially fish is the most commonly consumed and an important source of macro and micronutrients in the diet of the urban low-income residents. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the food environment in Bangladesh but little is known about how food access and food prices (affordability) have affected the purchase and consumption of fish. The objective of the study was to understand the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban food environment with a specific focus on fish consumption. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 586 homogeneous adults (288 females and 298 males) from separate households from five informal settlements in Dhaka city, Bangladesh during October-November 2020. Data were collected on: (1) food access and affordably; and (2) food purchase and fish consumption. The associations between food access, price, food purchase, and fish consumption were evaluated using path analysis. Results The majority of respondents reported that food access was more difficult, food prices increased, and food purchase decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-COVID (84-89% of respondents). Fish and meat were more difficult to access, more expensive and purchased less compared to other foods (74-91% of respondents). Compared to pre-COVID period, households consumed less fish during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reported compromised the variety and quality of fish. In the path analysis, food access was associated with food purchase (b = 0.33, p < 0.001). Food purchase was associated with quantity, variety, and quality of fish consumed. Food price was inversely associated with the quality of fish consumed (b = -0.27, p < 0.001). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the food environment, particularly food access, price (affordability), purchase, and consumption, especially of fish. Limited food access negatively affected the quantity, variety and quality of fish consumed. An increase in food prices directly affected the quality of fish consumed. Policy actions are essential to ensure equal access to nutritious foods, such as fish. These policies need to focus on diversity and quality along with preventing increases in food prices during emergencies to mitigate future threats to the nutrition and health of the urban low-income residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsina Syeda Akter
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Mahsina Syeda Akter
| | - Elise F. Talsma
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Edith J. M. Feskens
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Sabrina Rasheed
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Grosso G. The Global Burden of Food Insecurity Due to COVID-19. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173582. [PMID: 36079839 PMCID: PMC9460288 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that no country or region was prepared to face such a devastating emergency, nor have researchers uncovered permanent solutions to solve this everlasting crisis thus far [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Grosso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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Kundu S, Sayeed A, Azene AG, Rezyona H, Banna MHA, Khan MSI. Exploring the Factors Associated with Dietary Diversity of Children Aged 6-59 Months in Some Rural and Slum Areas of Bangladesh amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Effect Regression Analysis. Curr Dev Nutr 2022; 6:nzac109. [PMID: 35957740 PMCID: PMC9362760 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dietary diversity (DD) is a key component of diet quality, and malnutrition due to poor diet quality leads to child morbidity and mortality. However, in Bangladesh, there is a lack of information on childhood DD (for children aged 6-59 mo) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the minimum DD and its associated factors among children aged 6-59 mo during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in 6 districts of Bangladesh. A total of 1190 respondents were included using cluster random sampling. The Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS) for children was used to assess the children's DD. Factors associated with DD of children were identified using a multilevel binary logistics regression model. Results About 70% of the children aged 6-59 mo had minimum DD during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Children who belonged to slum areas [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.45; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.83], family income 12,000-15,000 Bangladeshi taka (BDT) (AOR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.05) and >15,000 BDT (AOR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.47, 4.57), mothers aged 26-30 y (AOR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.62) and >30 y (AOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.85), respondents who had 2 children <5 y old (AOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.66), and children aged 12-23 mo (AOR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.20) were significantly associated with DD among children aged 6-59 mo. Conclusions The findings of this study highlight the need for food and nutrition-related intervention, particularly targeting mothers of younger age and with >2 children <5 y old, mothers from slum regions, and fathers who were unemployed, to improve children's DD practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyajit Kundu
- Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Abu Sayeed
- Department of Post-Harvest Technology and Marketing, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Abebaw Gedef Azene
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Humayra Rezyona
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Government College of Applied Human Science, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Hasan Al Banna
- Department of Food Microbiology, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shafiqul Islam Khan
- Department of Food Microbiology, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
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