Prevalence and Factors Associated with Food Insecurity among Women Aged 18-49 Years in Kampala Slums Uganda; A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

While much focus has been put on rural household food insecurity, with increasing urbanisation leading to urban slum formation, food insecurity is potentially on the rise particularly among women of reproductive age (WRA). We determined the prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity among women aged 18-49 years in Makindye slums of Kampala capital city, Uganda. In a community based cross-sectional study, we recruited a random sample of 573 women aged 18-49 years, resident in the slums for at least one year prior to the study. Quantitative data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaires while qualitative information was obtained through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Multivariable logistic regression (using STATA® 13) and manifest content analysis methods were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Of the 573 participants, 60.7% were aged 20-34 years, 53.7% were married/cohabiting, 12.2% had no formal education and 82.5% lived in rented homes. Overall 88.5% of the women were food insecure of which 68.4% were severely food insecure. Factors that increased likeli hood of food insecurity were; socioeconomic factors such as absence of electricity in the household (AOR; 2.2, 95%CI: 1.05-4.86, p = 0.036) and having more than one school going child (AOR; 2.6, 95%CI: 1.42-4.89, p = 0.002). Qualitative findings indicate that food insecurity is indeed a problem among women in the slums with unemployment, high food prices, poverty and increasing number of household members reported as the major causes of food insecurity. The prevalence of food insecurity among women in Kampala slums is high. These findings suggest the need to invest in economic empowerment of women with emphasis on those living in deprived communities.

Factors associated with undernutrition among 20 to 49 year old women in Uganda: a secondary analysis of the Uganda demographic health survey 2016

“…This may compromise their ability to meet recommended dietary intake and therefore increasing their risk for underweight. This is supported by findings of a recent study that showed a high prevalence (88.5%) of food insecurity among women dwelling in one of the divisions of the most urbanized areas of the capital city Kampala [ 48 ]. The rapid increase in the urban settlements has also led to sanitation challenge and environmental degradation [ 22 ].…”

“…In Uganda, most agricultural production occurs in rural areas which contributes greatly to rural food availability and access [ 41 ]. Uganda is experiencing rapid urbanization that has led to the poorest and highly vulnerable people to settle in poorly organized informal urban areas [ 22 , 48 ] . Despite the availability of regular food supply in urban areas, the urban poor households that make up the majority of the urban population have limited access to sufficient and nutritious food.…”

“…High international ethical standards are ensured for MEASURE DHS surveys as ethical approval from the country is obtained from a national ethical review board and local authorities before implementing the survey [ 12 , 48 ] and well-informed verbal consent is sought from the respondents prior to data collection [ 11 , 12 ]. This data set was obtained from the MEASURE DHS website (URL: https://www.dhsprogram.com/data/available-datasets.cfm ) after getting their permission and no formal ethical clearance was obtained since we conducted secondary analysis of publicly available data.…”

Factors associated with undernutrition among 20 to 49 year old women in Uganda: a secondary analysis of the Uganda demographic health survey 2016

“…This may compromise their ability to meet recommended dietary intake and therefore increasing their risk for underweight. This is supported by ndings of a recent study that showed a high prevalence (88.5%) of food insecurity among women dwelling in one of the divisions of the most urbanized areas of the capital city Kampala [48]. The rapid increase in the urban settlements has also led to sanitation challenge and environmental degradation [22].…”

“…In Uganda, most agricultural production occurs in rural areas which contributes greatly to rural food availability and access [41]. Uganda is experiencing rapid urbanization that has led to the poorest and highly vulnerable people to settle in poorly organized informal urban areas [22,48].…”