Determinants of urban household vulnerability to food insecurity in southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Food insecurity is a global problem in both urban and rural areas. However, urban food security in Ethiopia has received little attention. Therefore, this study aims to identify the determinants of urban household vulnerability to food insecurity in selected towns in Southern Ethiopia. The study employed a mixed research design, incorporating a household survey, key informant interviews, and focus-group discussions. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 310 survey households. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. The household vulnerability to food insecurity indicator was used to assess the level of vulnerability to food insecurity. An ordered logit model was used to identify the determinants of vulnerability to food insecurity in the urban setup. The results showed 41.3% of households in the study to be highly vulnerable to food insecurity, 48.3% moderately vulnerable, and 10.6% not vulnerable. Among the 16 variables, household ownership of houses, health status, urban agriculture, socio-cultural practices, asset ownership, age, and average monthly income were found to be significant in determining the vulnerability to food insecurity. The study recommended that food security interventions demand due attention, particularly for low-income urban households benefit from the urban productive safety net program. Policymakers and development professionals should implement a multiple approach to address urban food insecurity in Ethiopia. This should include targeted interventions beyond urban productive safety net program for highly vulnerable households.