Relationship Between Food Insecurity, Social Support, and Vegetable Intake Among Resettled African Refugees in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the interaction of food insecurity, social support, and vegetable intake among resettled Burundian, Congolese, and Rwandan African refugees in Australia. A total of 71 household food preparers were recruited through purposive sampling. Eighteen percent of the participants experienced food insecurity. Participants with low education and no social support were 5 and 4 times more likely to be food insecure, respectively. There were no significant differences in vegetable intake. Results indicate that food insecurity is more prevalent among postresettlement African refugees compared to the general Australian population and is associated with social support and education. Strategies to enhance education and social support networks for resettled African refugees may work toward alleviating food insecurity among this group.

Achieving the four dimensions of food security for resettled refugees in Australia: A systematic review

“…Time spent in Australia ranged from less than 12 months to a maximum average of 4.9 years. The prevalence of food security varied from 35% to 90% of study participants, and between 11% and 40% of participants were found to have experienced severe hunger . Participants were from diverse refugee groups, including multiple parts of Africa, Somalia (woman), Swahili‐speaking communities, Middle Eastern countries and mixed cultural groups .…”

“…The prevalence of food security varied from 35% to 90% of study participants, and between 11% and 40% of participants were found to have experienced severe hunger . Participants were from diverse refugee groups, including multiple parts of Africa, Somalia (woman), Swahili‐speaking communities, Middle Eastern countries and mixed cultural groups . Sample selection methods comprised primarily convenience and snowball sampling .…”

“…Participants were from diverse refugee groups, including multiple parts of Africa, Somalia (woman), Swahili‐speaking communities, Middle Eastern countries and mixed cultural groups . Sample selection methods comprised primarily convenience and snowball sampling . In all studies, participants were recruited from an existing refugee program or service, for example, the Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre food bank, early resettlement or refugee agencies or the local refugee community .…”

“…Sample selection methods comprised primarily convenience and snowball sampling . In all studies, participants were recruited from an existing refugee program or service, for example, the Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre food bank, early resettlement or refugee agencies or the local refugee community . The studies were conducted in different Australian locations, including Fairfield in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and South East Queensland …”

Nutritional assessment of resettled paediatric refugees in Western Australia

“…The health of resettled refugees may be compromised due to previous nutritional inadequacy and food deprivation. Food security is defined as a state during which people ‘have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet dietary needs for a productive and healthy life’ . Multiple factors influence food security post‐settlement, including barriers related to language and literacy, housing, finances, transport and food unfamiliarity .…”