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O'Mullan C, Sinai S, Kaphle S. A scoping review on the nature and impact of gender based violence on women primary producers. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:395. [PMID: 38978045 PMCID: PMC11232171 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03228-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are primary producers of subsistence food and significant contributors to the agricultural economy. Gender Based Violence (GBV) adversely impacts their capacity to contribute and sustain their families and undermines social, economic, and human capital. Addressing GBV, therefore, is critical to creating safe and inclusive environments for women as primary producers to participate fully in rural communities. The aim of this scoping review is to explore the existing evidence on GBV in the context of women primary producers in LMICs to inform research gaps and priorities. METHODS A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Ebscohost and Google Scholar using keywords related to GBV and women producers in LMICs. Peer-reviewed journal articles published between January 2012 and June 2022 were included in the review. Duplicates were removed, titles and abstracts were screened, and characteristics and main results of included studies were recorded in a data charting form. A total of 579 records were identified, of which 49 studies were eligible for inclusion in this study. RESULTS Five major themes were identified from our analysis: (1) extent and nature of GBV, (2) the impact of GBV on agricultural/primary production livelihood activities, (3) sociocultural beliefs, practices, and attitudes, (4) aggravating or protective factors, and (5) GBV interventions. Addressing GBV in agriculture requires inclusive research approaches and targeted interventions to empower women producers, promote gender equality, enhance agricultural productivity, and contribute to broader societal development. Despite attempts by researchers to delve into this issue, the pervasive under-reporting of GBV remains a challenge. The true extent and nature of GBV perpetrated against women is far from fully understood in this context. CONCLUSION Despite the significant challenges posed by GBV to the health, economy and livelihoods of women primary producers in LMICs, there is a paucity in the current state of knowledge. To make meaningful progress, more research is required to understand the relationship between GBV and agricultural settings, and to gain nuanced insight into the nature and impact of GBV on women primary producers in different regions and contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy O'Mullan
- CQ University, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton, Queensland, Q 4670, Australia.
| | - Saba Sinai
- CQ University, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton, Queensland, Q 4670, Australia
| | - Sabitra Kaphle
- CQ University, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton, Queensland, Q 4670, Australia
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Gong Q, Ju S. Food Insecurity and Children's Problem Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Parental Relationship Quality and Parenting Stress. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2024:00004703-990000000-00170. [PMID: 38896566 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000001281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Food insecurity, identified as a critical stressor for many families, can directly and indirectly influence children's development through interparental relationships and parenting. This study examines how food insecurity relates to children's problem behaviors and the mediating roles of interparental relationship quality and parenting stress. It also investigates the association between parents' perception of relationship quality and both their own and their partner's parenting stress. METHOD The study included 2095 children from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study. The actor partner interdependence model was used to explore the actor and partner influence of relationship quality on parents' parenting stress. To examine the association pathways from food insecurity to children's problem behaviors, a structural equation model was conducted. RESULTS Results suggest that fathers' perception of couple relationship quality predicted both their own and their partner's parenting stress while mothers' perception of couple relationship quality only predicted their own, but not fathers', parenting stress. In the positive association between food insecurity and children's problem behaviors, there was a serial mediation through mothers' perception of relationship quality and mothers' parenting stress. In addition, food insecurity was negatively correlated with mothers' perception of relationship quality, but not with that of fathers. CONCLUSION This study highlights the pathway from food insecurity to children's problem behaviors through mothers' perceptions of interparental relationship quality and parenting stress. Results provide support for the family stress theory and offer valuable insights for the formulation of potential prevention and intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujie Gong
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
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Brown LJ, Mannell J, Washington L, Khaula S, Gibbs A. "Something we can all share": Exploring the social significance of food insecurity for young people in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0003137. [PMID: 38805479 PMCID: PMC11132456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Food insecurity remains a pressing global issue and South Africa continues to face socioeconomic inequalities that make securing food a challenge for many young people. To address this challenge, we need better understanding of the social context of food and its importance in driving perceptions and behaviours about food and its scarcity. In this study, we examine the meaning of food for young people living in urban informal settlements and rural villages in KwaZulu-Natal, and investigate how they exert agency in the face of food insecurity. We use qualitative data from 17 photo/video elicitation interviews conducted from December 2020-January 2021 with young people experiencing food insecurity. The sample consisted of 9 women and 8 men who were part of the Siyaphambili Youth ("Youth Moving Forward") project. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Themes included the challenges young people face in securing food and money for food. However, in exploring young people's agency, food also plays a critical role in shaping their identities and social networks. Relevant themes included the use of food as a means of bonding with others; solidifying relationships; and as a signifier of social status and gender roles. Despite the challenges of food insecurity, young people demonstrated resilience and agency, utilising social and gendered coping strategies to secure food and to maintain their social networks. Our study contributes to the understanding of food insecurity amongst young people in South Africa and highlights the need for a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to addressing this issue. We argue that interventions aimed at addressing food insecurity should prioritise the empowerment of local communities and consider the sociocultural and gendered context of food in their design and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Brown
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenevieve Mannell
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Andrew Gibbs
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Waterman EA, McLain M, Zulfiqar H, Ahmar Qadeer T, Ciavoi SM. The Link Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity: A Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:1511-1530. [PMID: 37485673 DOI: 10.1177/15248380231186152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) and food insecurity are global health issues that affect millions of people worldwide. Numerous studies show that IPV and food insecurity are linked; however, there is a lack of synthesis of this research. Using a systematic search and review, we examined the international quantitative and qualitative research published on the link between IPV and food insecurity. We searched for peer-reviewed, English-language articles with participants above the age of 16 in 4 large online databases. Fifty-six studies were included from around the world that discussed the link between food insecurity and IPV perpetration and/or victimization. We found evidence in both qualitative and quantitative studies for a meaningful connection between these two global health isues. We also reviewed the literature on moderators and mediators (e.g., mental health). Our findings indicate the importance of implementing IPV prevention strategies which also address household food insecurity, and the potential for food insecurity resources to provide IPV resources. Future research should focus more frequently on IPV perpetration as opposed to victimization, and further examine the moderating and mediating mechanisms that inform the link between IPV and food insecurity.
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Logie CH, Okumu M, Admassu Z, Perez-Brumer A, Ahmed R, Luna ML, MacKenzie F, Kortenaar JL, Berry I, Hakiza R, Katisi B, Musoke DK, Nakitende A, Batte S, Kyambadde P, Taing L, Giordana G, Mbuagbaw L. HIV Vulnerabilities Associated with Water Insecurity, Food Insecurity, and Other COVID-19 Impacts Among Urban Refugee Youth in Kampala, Uganda: Multi-method Findings. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:507-523. [PMID: 38048017 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04240-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Food insecurity (FI) and water insecurity (WI) are linked with HIV vulnerabilities, yet how these resource insecurities shape HIV prevention needs is understudied. We assessed associations between FI and WI and HIV vulnerabilities among urban refugee youth aged 16-24 in Kampala, Uganda through individual in-depth interviews (IDI) (n = 24), focus groups (n = 4), and a cross-sectional survey (n = 340) with refugee youth, and IDI with key informants (n = 15). Quantitative data was analysed via multivariable logistic and linear regression to assess associations between FI and WI with: reduced pandemic sexual and reproductive health (SRH) access; past 3-month transactional sex (TS); unplanned pandemic pregnancy; condom self-efficacy; and sexual relationship power (SRP). We applied thematic analytic approaches to qualitative data. Among survey participants, FI and WI were commonplace (65% and 47%, respectively) and significantly associated with: reduced SRH access (WI: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-3.08; FI: aOR: 2.31. 95%CI: 1.36-3.93), unplanned pregnancy (WI: aOR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.24-6.17; FI: aOR: 2.62, 95%CI: 1.03-6.66), and TS (WI: aOR: 3.09, 95%CI: 1.22-7.89; FI: aOR: 3.51, 95%CI: 1.15-10.73). WI participants reported lower condom self-efficacy (adjusted β= -3.98, 95%CI: -5.41, -2.55) and lower SRP (adjusted β= -2.58, 95%CI= -4.79, -0.37). Thematic analyses revealed: (1) contexts of TS, including survival needs and pandemic impacts; (2) intersectional HIV vulnerabilities; (3) reduced HIV prevention/care access; and (4) water insecurity as a co-occurring socio-economic stressor. Multi-method findings reveal FI and WI are linked with HIV vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for HIV prevention to address co-occurring resource insecurities with refugee youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Logie
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada.
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Moses Okumu
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zerihun Admassu
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Amaya Perez-Brumer
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rushdia Ahmed
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Marianne Lahai Luna
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Frannie MacKenzie
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Jean-Luc Kortenaar
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isha Berry
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Hakiza
- Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Brenda Katisi
- Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID), Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Shamilah Batte
- Organization for Gender Empowerment and Rights Advocacy (OGERA) Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Kyambadde
- National AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Most At Risk Population Initiative Clinic, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lina Taing
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Gio Giordana
- World Food Programme East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lawrence Mbuagbaw
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH), Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Frank M, Daniel L, Hays CN, Shanahan ME, Naumann RB, McNaughton Reyes HL, Austin AE. Association of Food Insecurity With Multiple Forms of Interpersonal and Self-Directed Violence: A Systematic Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:828-845. [PMID: 37009984 PMCID: PMC10666476 DOI: 10.1177/15248380231165689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Economic stress, broadly defined, is associated with an increased likelihood of multiple forms of violence. Food insecurity is a distinct economic stressor and material hardship that is amenable to programmatic and policy intervention. To inform intervention and identify gaps in the current evidence base, we conducted a systematic review to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing literature regarding the association between food insecurity and five forms of interpersonal and self-directed violence: intimate partner violence (IPV), suicidality, peer violence and bullying, youth dating violence, and child maltreatment, in high-income countries. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and searched six electronic databases from their start date through February of 2022. We included studies that examined food insecurity as the exposure and an outcome measure of IPV, suicide, suicidality, peer violence, bullying, youth dating violence, or child maltreatment; were peer-reviewed and published in English; reported quantitative data; and took place in a high-income country. We identified 20 relevant studies. Nineteen studies found that food insecurity was associated with an increased likelihood of these forms of violence. Results highlight the potential for programs and policies that address food insecurity to function as primary prevention strategies for multiple forms of violence and underscore the importance of trauma-informed approaches in organizations providing food assistance. Additional theory-driven research with validated measures of food insecurity and clearly established temporality between measures of food insecurity and violence is needed to strengthen the existing evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Frank
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Leah Daniel
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Caroline N. Hays
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Anna E. Austin
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Meyer SR, Mosha NR, Hatcher AM, Hashim R, Ayieko P, Kapiga S, Mshana G, Stöckl H. Food Insecurity and Intimate Partner Violence in Mwanza, Tanzania: A Longitudinal Analysis. Am J Prev Med 2023; 65:932-939. [PMID: 37343708 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Food insecurity is a potential predictor of intimate partner violence. This study (1) describes the prevalence of food insecurity and various forms of intimate partner violence experience among women in Mwanza, Tanzania; and (2) assesses the effect of food insecurity and hunger on various forms of women's experience of intimate partner violence longitudinally. METHODS Women (aged 18-70 years) who reported being in a relationship in the past 12 months, who had participated in the control arms of two randomized controlled trials conducted as part of the MAISHA study were interviewed at four time points (N=1,004 at baseline in 2017). Analyses were conducted in 2022. Associations between food insecurity exposures and intimate partner violence outcomes were assessed, and univariate random effect logistic models were conducted to identify relevant sociodemographic variables (including age, education level, and SES) that were statistically significant. Multivariable random effects logistic models were conducted, including time as a fixed effect, to calculate odds ratios indicating associations between food insecurity exposures and intimate partner violence outcomes. RESULTS Prevalence of food insecurity was 47.7%, 55.6%, 47.2%, and 50.8% for each of the 4 waves, respectively, with significant difference in proportion of food insecurity between baseline and Wave 2. Multivariable random effects models indicated that food insecurity was associated with increased odds of exposure to all forms of intimate partner violence outcomes, and hunger was significantly associated with increased odds of experience of all intimate partner violence outcomes, apart from controlling behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Results from this longitudinal analysis of food insecurity and women's reports of intimate partner violence experience in a low- and middle-income country setting indicate that food insecurity is significantly associated with all forms of intimate partner violence, apart from controlling behaviors, among women in this sample in Mwanza, Tanzania. Policy and programmatic implications include the need for integrated intimate partner violence prevention programming to take into account household food needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Meyer
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine LMU Munich, München, Germany; Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Neema R Mosha
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine LMU Munich, München, Germany; Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany; Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Abigail M Hatcher
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Philip Ayieko
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania; Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Saidi Kapiga
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania; Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gerry Mshana
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania; National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Heidi Stöckl
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine LMU Munich, München, Germany; Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany; Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
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Santos LA, Pérez-Escamilla R, Cherol CCDS, Ferreira AA, Salles-Costa R. Gender, skin color, and household composition explain inequities in household food insecurity in Brazil. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002324. [PMID: 37788232 PMCID: PMC10547153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that female-headed households (FHHs) are more likely to experience food insecurity (FI) than male-headed households (MHHs), however there is a dearth of evidence on how gender intersects with other social determinants of FI. Thus, this paper investigated changes in the prevalence of household FI in Brazil from 2004 to 2018 by the intersection of gender, race/skin color and marital status of the household reference person. Data from three cross-sectional nationally representative surveys that assessed the status of FI using the Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale were analyzed (N2004 = 107,731; N2013 = 115,108, N2018 = 57,204). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between profiles of gender, race/skin color, marital status of the head of the household with household FI stratified by the presence of children <5 years of age. Over time, FHHs had a higher prevalence of mild and moderate/severe FI than did households headed by men. Food security prevalence increased from 2004 to 2013 and decreased between 2013 and 2018 for households headed by men and women. In 2018, households headed by black/brown single mothers with children < 5 years of age were at the highest FI risk. The probability of reporting moderate/severe FI in these households were 4.17 times higher (95% CI [2.96-5.90]) than for households headed by married white men. The presence of children in the household was associated with a higher probability of moderate/severe FI, especially for households headed by black/brown individuals regardless of the reference person's gender. The results suggest that gender inequities combined with darker skin color and the presence of children at home potentiate the risk of moderate/severe FI. Policy makers need to consider the principles of intersectionality when investing in codesigning, implementing, evaluating, and scaling up evidence-based programs to reduce FI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissandra Amorim Santos
- Department of Social and Applied Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition Josué de Castro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Camilla Christine de Souza Cherol
- Department of Social and Applied Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition Josué de Castro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aline Alves Ferreira
- Department of Social and Applied Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition Josué de Castro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosana Salles-Costa
- Department of Social and Applied Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition Josué de Castro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Austin AE, Shanahan M, Frank M, Reyes HLM, Ammerman A, Short NA. State expansion of supplemental nutrition assistance program eligibility and rates of interpersonal violence. Prev Med 2023; 175:107725. [PMID: 37827207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Food insecurity is associated with an increased likelihood of interpersonal violence. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest program addressing food insecurity in the U.S. States can eliminate the asset test and/or increase the income limit for SNAP eligibility, expanding the number of households receiving assistance. We examined the association of state elimination of the asset test and increases in the income limit with rates of interpersonal violence, including intimate partner violence (IPV), other relationship violence (violence by a parent, friend, etc.), and stranger violence. METHODS We used data from the SNAP Policy Database and state-level estimates of rates of interpersonal violence per 1000 population ages ≥12 years from the 2012-2014 to 2016-2018 National Crime Victimization Survey. RESULTS States that adopted both SNAP eligibility policies (eliminated the asset test and increased the income limit) had a lower rate of IPV (β = -0.4, 95% CI -0.9, 0.0) and other relationship violence (β = -2.4, 95% CI -3.8, -1.1) compared to states that did not adopt either policy. The rate of stranger violence (β = -0.5, 95% CI -2.3, 1.4) did not differ for states that adopted both policies compared to states that did not adopt either policy. Rates of IPV (β = -0.4, 95% CI -0.9, 0.2), other relationship violence (β = -1.2, 95% CI -3.2, 0.7), and stranger violence (β = -0.2, 95% CI -2.0, 1.6) did not differ for states that eliminated the asset test only compared to states that did not adopt either policy. CONCLUSION Expanding SNAP eligibility may help prevent interpersonal violence at the population-level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Austin
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Meghan Shanahan
- Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Madeline Frank
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - H Luz McNaughton Reyes
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Alice Ammerman
- Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Nicole A Short
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada Las Vegas, USA
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Jewkes R, Chirwa E, Alangea DO, Addo-Lartey A, Christofides N, Dunkle K, Ramsoomar L, Gibbs A. Pooled analysis of the association between food insecurity and violence against women: Evidence from low- and middle-income settings. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04021. [PMID: 36896806 PMCID: PMC9999307 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intimate partner violence impacts relationships across the socioeconomic spectrum, nonetheless its prevalence is reported to be highest in areas that are most socio-economically deprived. Poverty has direct and indirect impacts on intimate partner violence (IPV) risk, however, one of the postulated pathways is through food insecurity. The aim of this paper is to describe the association between food insecurity (household hunger) and women's experiences, and men's perpetration, of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence in data from Africa and Asia. Methods We conducted a pooled analysis of data from baseline interviews with men and women participating in six Violence Against Women prevention intervention evaluations and present a meta-analysis using mixed-effects Poisson regression models. Data were from South Africa (two studies), Ghana, Rwanda (two data sets), and Afghanistan and comprised interviews with 6545 adult women and 8104 adult men. We assessed food insecurity with the Household Hunger Scale. Results Overall, 27.9% of women experienced moderate food insecurity (range from 11.1% to 44.4%), while 28.8% of women reported severe food insecurity (range from 7.1 to 54.7%). Overall food insecurity was associated with an increased likelihood of women experiencing physical intimate partner violence, adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) = 1.40 (95% CI = 1.23 to 1.60) for moderate food insecurity and aIRR = 1.73 (95% CI = 1.41 to 2.12) for severe food insecurity. It was also associated with an increased likelihood of men reporting perpetration of physical IPV, with aIRR = 1.24 (95% CI = 1.11 to 1.39) for moderate food insecurity and aIRR = 1.18 (95% CI = 1.02 to 1.37) for severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was not significantly associated with women's experience of non-partner sexual violence, aIRR = 1.27 (95% CI = 0.93 to 1.74) for moderate or severe food insecurity vs none, nor men's perpetration of non-partner sexual violence aIRR = 1.02 (95% CI = 0.90 to 1.15). Conclusions Food insecurity is associated with increased physical intimate partner violence perpetration and experience reported by men and women. It was not associated with non-partner sexual violence perpetration, although there was some evidence to suggest an elevated risk of non-partner sexual violence among food-insecure women. Prevention programming needs to embrace food insecurity as a driver of intimate partner violence perpetration, however, non-partner sexual violence prevention needs to be shaped around a separate understanding of its drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Office of the Executive Scientist, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Esnat Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | | | | | - Nicola Christofides
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Kristin Dunkle
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Office of the Executive Scientist, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Leane Ramsoomar
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of the Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Andrew Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK
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