Food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic: A genuine concern for people from disadvantaged community and low-income families in Province 2 of Nepal.
Journal article
Singh, D., Sunuwar, Dev Ram, Shah, Sunil Kumar, Sah, Lalita Kumari, Karki, K. and Sah, R. 2021. Food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic: A genuine concern for people from disadvantaged community and low-income families in Province 2 of Nepal. PLoS ONE. 16 (7), p. e0254954. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254954
| Authors | Singh, D., Sunuwar, Dev Ram, Shah, Sunil Kumar, Sah, Lalita Kumari, Karki, K. and Sah, R. |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Background: Food insecurity is a serious social and public health problem which is exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic especially in resource-poor countries such as Nepal. However, there is a paucity of evidence at local levels. This study aims to explore food insecurity among people from the disadvantaged community and low-income families during the COVID-19 pandemic in Province-2 of Nepal. Methods: The semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted virtually among purposively selected participants (n = 41) from both urban and rural areas in eight districts of Province 2 in Nepal. All the interviews were conducted in the local language between July and August 2020. The data analysis was performed using thematic network analysis in Nvivo 12 Pro software.<h4>Results</h4>The results of this study are grouped into four global themes: i) Impact of COVID-19 on food security; ii) Food insecurity and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, iii) Food relief and emergency support during the COVID-19 pandemic, and iv) Impact of COVID-19 and food insecurity on health and wellbeing. Most participants in the study expressed that families from low socioeconomic backgrounds and disadvantaged communities such as those working on daily wages and who rely on remittance had experienced increased food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants used different forms of coping strategies to meet their food requirements during the pandemic. Community members experienced favouritism, nepotism, and partiality from local politicians and authorities during the distribution of food relief. The food insecurity among low-income and disadvantaged families has affected their health and wellbeing making them increasingly vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Food insecurity among low-income and disadvantaged families was found to be a serious problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that the relief support plan and policies should be focused on the implementation of immediate sustainable food security strategies to prevent hunger, malnutrition, and mental health problems among the most vulnerable groups in the community. |
| Keywords | Humans; Housing; Adult; Aged; Middle aged; Vulnerable populations; Income; Nepal; Female; Male; Young adult; Pandemics; Surveys and questionnaires; COVID-19; Food insecurity |
| Year | 2021 |
| Journal | PLoS ONE |
| Journal citation | 16 (7), p. e0254954 |
| ISSN | 1932-6203 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254954 |
| Official URL | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254954 |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 21 Jul 2021 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Deposited | 21 Oct 2021 |
| Output status | Published |
| License | CC BY |
| File |
Permalink -
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/8y93z/food-insecurity-during-covid-19-pandemic-a-genuine-concern-for-people-from-disadvantaged-community-and-low-income-families-in-province-2-of-nepal
Download files
134
total views51
total downloads2
views this month3
downloads this month
Export as
Related outputs
Social determinants of the mental health of pregnant women in Nepal: Stakeholder perspectives.
Sah, L., Hatzidimitriadou, E., Wier, Jacqueline and Sah, Rajeeb Kumar 2024. Social determinants of the mental health of pregnant women in Nepal: Stakeholder perspectives. PLoS ONE. 19 (12), p. e0314736. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314736Epidemiology
Sheppard, G. and Sah, R. 2023. Epidemiology. in: Robinson, S. (ed.) Principles and Practice of Health Promotion and Public Health Routledge. pp. 63-88Association between knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission and consistent condom use among sexually active men in Nigeria: An analysis of 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey.
Bolarinwa, O., Ajayi, K. and Sah, R. 2022. Association between knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission and consistent condom use among sexually active men in Nigeria: An analysis of 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey. PLOS Global Public Health. 2 (3), p. e0000223. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000223Students as partners in learning and teaching: Assessing the effectiveness of student evaluation of teaching
Sah, R. 2021. Students as partners in learning and teaching: Assessing the effectiveness of student evaluation of teaching. Asian EFL Journal. 28 (3), pp. 66-85.The association of sleep problem, dietary habits and physical activity with weight status of adolescents in Nepal.
Singh, D., Sunuwar, Dev Ram, Dahal, Babita and Sah, Rajeeb Kumar 2021. The association of sleep problem, dietary habits and physical activity with weight status of adolescents in Nepal. BMC Public Health. 21 (1), p. 938. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10985-5The impact of COVID-19 on BAME populations: a systematic review of experiences and perspectives
Wright, T., Keval, H., Keys, C., Nanayakkara, G., Onyejekwe, C., Sah, R. and Smith, R. 2021. The impact of COVID-19 on BAME populations: a systematic review of experiences and perspectives. PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews.Health inequalities and ethnic vulnerabilities during COVID-19 in the UK: A reflection on the PHE reports
Keys, C., Nanayakkara, G., Onyejekwe, C., Sah, R. and Wright, T. 2021. Health inequalities and ethnic vulnerabilities during COVID-19 in the UK: A reflection on the PHE reports. Feminist Legal Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10691-020-09446-yImpact of COVID-19 on health services utilization in Province-2 of Nepal: A qualitative study among community members and stakeholders
Singh, D., Sunuwar, Dev Ram, Shah, Sunil Kumar, Karki, Kshitij, Sah, Lalita Kumari, Adhikari, Bipin and Sah, Rajeeb Kumar 2020. Impact of COVID-19 on health services utilization in Province-2 of Nepal: A qualitative study among community members and stakeholders. BMC Health Services Research. 21 (174). https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-131586/v1Conducting qualitative interviews using virtual communication tools amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A learning opportunity for future research
Sah, L. and Sah, R. 2020. Conducting qualitative interviews using virtual communication tools amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A learning opportunity for future research . Journal of Nepal Medical Association. 58 (232), pp. 1103-6. https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.5738Students as partners in learning and teaching: Assessing the effectiveness of student evaluation of teaching
Sah, R. 2020. Students as partners in learning and teaching: Assessing the effectiveness of student evaluation of teaching.