Prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity in eight high-altitude cities in Peru during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective, cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Food insecurity has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting an estimated 260 million people. However, little evidence is available on how pandemic-related characteristics influence food security in a high-altitude population. The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with food insecurity in high-altitude Peruvian cities during the second epidemic wave of COVID-19. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in eight Peruvian cities over 1,500 m above sea level. An online survey measuring food security, presence of anxiety & depressive symptoms, sleep quality, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resilience, and sociodemographic characteristics was disseminated through social networks between December 2020 and February 2021. Generalized linear models were used to identify an association between the study variables. Results Of 700 participants, the median age was 23 years, and more than half were female (56.7%). The prevalence of food insecurity was 37.1%. Anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and PTSD were present in 72.7%, 64.1%, and 15% of respondents, respectively. The prevalence of food insecurity was higher in people with fair (PR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.23–2.07) and very bad perception of their health (PR: 4.06, 95% CI: 2.63–6.26), individuals seeking mental health support (PR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.25–1.62), and in those who lost their job due to the pandemic (PR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.62–2.04). Having moderate (PR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.26–1.83) and moderate to severe depressive symptoms (PR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11–2.27) also increased the prevalence of food insecurity. Conclusion During the pandemic, the prevalence of food insecurity has increased in the Peruvian high-altitude population, revealing the need for preventive strategies. Identification of pandemic-related characteristics that influence food insecurity can guide interventions in at-risk individuals and reduce the long-term impact of this problem on overall health and quality of life.

Food insecurity and sociodemographic factors in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Another study found that households with more rooms in urban areas were less likely to experience food insecurity, a finding that was possibly related to the socioeconomic level of the household ( 30 ). A study conducted in eight cities in Peru reported that people who lost their jobs during the pandemic had an 82% higher prevalence of food insecurity, which could be due to the greater reduction of the labor force in that country during the year 2020 ( 31 ), a result that is consistent with our results.…”

Food insecurity in Piura, Peru, in the context of post-earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The four last elements ask about satisfaction with current sleep, others' perception of the participant's current sleep problem, concern about sleep, and interference of sleep problems with daily functioning (46). It has a score from 0 to 28 points, which is interpreted as follows: insomnia absence (0-7), subthreshold insomnia (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14), moderate insomnia (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21), and severe insomnia (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). It has an acceptable internal consistency of 0.7 (45).…”

Prevalence and factors associated with fear of COVID-19 in military personnel during the second epidemic wave in Peru

“…Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has posed a threat to both physical ( 1 – 4 ) and psychological health ( 5 – 14 ). This impact, coupled with its effects on social and economic aspects, has had far-reaching consequences on the safety and overall well-being of the population ( 15 , 16 ).…”