Household hardships and responses to COVID-19 pandemic-related shocks in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background COVID-19 resulted in enormous disruption to life around the world. To quell disease spread, governments implemented lockdowns that likely created hardships for households. To improve knowledge of consequences, we examine how the pandemic period was associated with household hardships and assess factors associated with these hardships. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using quasi-Poisson regression to examine factors associated with household hardships. Data were collected between August and September of 2021 from a random sample of 880 households living within a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) located in the Harari Region and the District of Kersa, both in Eastern Ethiopia. Results Having a head of household with no education, residing in a rural area, larger household size, lower income and/or wealth, and community responses to COVID-19, including lockdowns and travel restrictions, were independently associated with experiencing household hardships. Conclusions Our results identify characteristics of groups at-risk for household hardships during the pandemic; these findings may inform efforts to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 and future disease outbreaks.

Assessing Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Household Hardships during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Manhiça, Mozambique using Data Collected between April 2021 and February 2022

“…[16] However, our findings are generally consistent with findings reported in other studies from sub-Saharan African countries. [40][41][42] As an observational study, other potential limitations include unmeasured variable bias (for example, we did not gather information related to food insecurity beyond increases in local food prices) or recall bias due to the extended length of time considered in the study (i.e., some respondents may have forgotten hardships that occurred closer to the onset of the pandemic). We also cannot draw causal inferences given the cross-sectional nature of the study.…”

“…This study is part of a broader examination within the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network to analyze the consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns for child health and mortality. [40][41][42][43] Leveraging the established platform within the CHAMPS Network of HDSS [44] in 2021, we administered a questionnaire to households in Manhiça, Mozambique.…”

Prevalence of food insecurity amid COVID-19 lockdowns and sociodemographic indicators of household vulnerability in Harar and Kersa, Ethiopia

“…This study is part of a broader investigation within the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network to understand the implications of COVID-19 lockdowns for child health and mortality [ 34 , 43 – 45 ]. We developed and administered a short quantitative instrument designed to understand how the pandemic and related lockdowns may have affected livelihood, food availability, and healthcare.…”

“…It is anticipated that COVID-19 has exacerbated this vulnerability [ 7 , 11 , 33 ]. Households hit with an economic shock such as a job loss or loss of income during the pandemic are likely at high risk for experiencing food insecurity, as they must reduce expenditures to adapt to the economic shock [ 9 , 34 ]. Disadvantaged groups such as women and children, people working in the informal sector or unemployed, those with limited financial resources, those with medical conditions, and those relying on emergency food aid are also at high risk [ 23 , 35 ].…”