Food Security of Adolescents in Selected Khat- and Coffee-Growing Areas in the Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Whilst pervasive food insecurity exists among adolescents in Ethiopia, the available information is scant and inconsistent. Therefore, the main objective of this cross-sectional study was to contribute to these gaps by assessing the food security of adolescents in the selected khat- and coffee-growing areas. We selected 234 (117 girls and 117 boys) adolescents aged 12–18 years via stratified random sampling. We measured the height and weight of the adolescents and asked about their food insecurity experiences. We assessed the prevalence of stunting and thinness using the WHO 2007 growth reference standards. Out of the total, 17 (7.3%) and 30 (12.8%) adolescents were stunted and thin, respectively. In addition, 89 (38.0%) adolescents reported food insecurity experiences and nine (3.8%) were overweight. A regression analyses showed that the stunting was associated with the age of the adolescents and maternal education. Thinness was associated with area, gender, and the number of meals. Food insecurity experiences were associated with health problems in the past 30 days. In general, adolescents from the khat-growing area have better food security than those from the coffee-growing area, and the same is true, gender-wise, for girls compared to boys. We recommend possible interventions primarily for adolescents in coffee-growing areas.

A review of gender in agricultural and pastoral livelihoods based on selected countries in west and east Africa

“…In Nigeria, female heads of households were less likely to report good health (Omotayo, 2020). In selected khat and coffee-growing areas in the Sidama zone of southern Ethiopia, gender determined thinness, with girls thinner than boys-although, in the study in question, stunting is linked to a greater degree to levels of maternal education than gender alone (Juju et al, 2018). Despite this, based on research in four sites (western Kenya, eastern Kenya, Uganda, and Senegal), male-and female-headed households are reported to have spent their financial resources differently: female-headed households were most likely to use their credit for food, medical expenses and education; male-headed households were most likely to use it on food, agriculture/livestock inputs and education.…”

A framework to understand the social impacts of agricultural trade

“…International price volatility in coffee markets lead to low coffee prices in local markets. Moreover, due to climate change and variability, coffee yields are increasingly affected by pests ( international systems driving local system conditions ) (Juju et al, 2018). As a result, coffee farmers (actors) see their yields and incomes ( outputs ) decline (Austin, 2017; Hausermann, 2014).…”

Under nutrition and associated factors among school adolescents in Hageremariam district, Central Ethiopia

“…All ''Yes'' responses were coded as ''1'' and ''No'' responses were coded as ''0'' and afterwards scores were summed to yield AFIS. Adolescents who had food insecurity score of one and above were labelled as food insecure (20). Anthropometric measurement: Height was measured by using portable height measuring scale (stadio-meter) with barefoot and wears light cloth.…”