An ecological systems analysis of food access barriers and coping strategies adopted by older adults in Ghana

Abstract

The barriers to accessing food and strategies adopted by older adults in Ghana are distinct but interconnected and are produced by both individual and structural factors.• An ecological systems theory offers a useful perspective for understanding the food access experiences of older adults in low-income contexts. • Addressing the food needs of older people will require a multilevel, comprehensive approach that targets the individual and broader human environment.The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits to ending hunger and achieving food security for all. However, little is known about the food access experiences of older adults in Ghana. This paper explores if there are barriers to accessing food and if there are, what strategies have been adopted to negotiate these barriers.Through purposive sampling, a total of 123 older adults were recruited in Ghana to participate in sharing circles (n = 10) and semi-structured interviews (n = 42). Data analyses were done in NVivo using a thematic analytical approach. Functional impairment and poor health, poverty, inadequate social support, lack of control over household resources, policy neglect, low crop yields, and sociocultural values were found to hinder older people's access to food. They navigate these barriers by rationing meals, engaging in income-earning activities, seeking support from social networks, and begging. Our findings contribute to discourses on food security and highlight the need for a multilevel, comprehensive approach that targets both the individual and the broader human environment in addressing the food needs of older people.

Healthcare seeking behaviour during illness among older adults in Ghana: does food security status matter?

“…Whereas association between psychological disorders [31], sleep quality [32], mental distress [33], financial services [34] and food insecurity have been previously examined quantitatively among older adults in Ghana, Amoak et al [35] investigated the link between household food insecurity and self-rated oral health in Ghana. Further, Braimah and Rosenberg [36] qualitatively investigated food access barriers and coping strategies adopted by older adults in Ghana. The study found that barriers to access to food in old age include functional impairment and poor health, poverty, insufficient social support, poor control over household resources, policy neglect, low crop yields, and sociocultural values [36].…”

“…Further, Braimah and Rosenberg [36] qualitatively investigated food access barriers and coping strategies adopted by older adults in Ghana. The study found that barriers to access to food in old age include functional impairment and poor health, poverty, insufficient social support, poor control over household resources, policy neglect, low crop yields, and sociocultural values [36]. However, what remains unclear is the linkage between FSS and HSB during illness in old age.…”

“…However, what remains unclear is the linkage between FSS and HSB during illness in old age. This quantitative study seeks to build on the previous works of Braimah and Rosenberg [36], Gyasi et al [32], Gyasi et al [33], Amoak et al [35], and Gyasi et al [31] by applying the Andersen's Behavioural Model of health services use to understand the association between FSS and HSB among older adults during illness in Ghana. The Andersen's Behavioural Model of health services use is mostly applied to understand HSB [37,38].…”

Strategies for Knowledge Sharing Among Rice Farmers: A Ghanaian Perspective

“…Among the three regions where rice is predominantly produced in Ghana, are the Eastern Region, Northern Region and Ashanti Region (Cadger et al, 2016:35;Muhammed, Tela, and Wahab, 2022). The study was conducted in the Eastern Region of Ghana because rice farmers in this region are estimated to contribute more than half of all rice produced in Ghana for local consumption (Braimah, and Rosenberg, 2022;Donkor, Matthews and Ogundeji, 2018:157). The three ricefarming communities that dominate rice production in this region are: Akuse, Asutsuare, and Kpong.…”

“…Despite, the critical importance of rice farming, rice yield has been slowing down, especially among smallholder farmers in Ghana (Braimah, and Rosenberg, 2022;Moglia et al, 2018:85). For instance, the average rice yields potential is 10t/ha; however, the global average rice yield has hovered around 7-8 t/ha, with average yield from developing countries hovering around 4-5t/ha (Moglia et al, 2018:86).…”