Online Program

283136
Ability for women to overcome household food insecurity in rural Ghana


Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

P. Qasimah Boston, DrPH, MPH, CHES, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Saleh M. M. Rahman, MD, PhD, MPH, Institute of Public Health, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL
C. Perry Brown, DrPH, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences /Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Ivette A. López, PhD, MPH, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Mitwe Musingo, PhD, CESTA, Food Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Coumba Mar Gadio, PhD, Gender Practices West and Central Africa, United Naiton Development Program, Mauritania
Background: Household food insecurity is a daily reality for millions of people globally. It is more of a problem in developing countries and it persists in rural northern Ghana. Food insecurity threatens the health and wellbeing of children, adults, families, communities and nations. It contributes to low birth weight babies, mental health conditions, diabetes, obesity and impacts overall quality of life. Purpose: To examine the ability of women in rural Ghana to overcome household food insecurity. Methods: Utilizing quantitative data collection methods, face-to-face interviews with women were conducted. A measure of household food insecurity was constructed and a 24-item instrument was used. A simple random sample (N=241) of households selected women who prepare meals for the household to be administered a survey. The survey instrument collected demographic, household food insecurity, social network and perceived social support data. All data was analyzed quantitatively. Results: Of 241 women, 82% were married, 39% had co-wives, 80% did not have formal education, the average age was 40 years and the average number of adults per household was 7. Correlation analysis and logistic regression models revealed social networks social support, marital status and years living in the village were significantly associated to the experience of low household food insecurity. Conclusions: Women in northern rural Ghana who were married, with higher social supports and social networks were more likely to overcome household food insecurity. There is a need to for policies and programs that support expanded collaboration, education and empowerment of women.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the determinants of household food insecurity. Describe the utilization of social networks and social support in overcoming household food insecurity. Explain the use of logistic regression analysis in the examination of predictor variables on household food insecurity.

Keyword(s): Coping, Food Security

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author on the content I am responsible for because it is my research. I conducted primary research in Ghana and obtained IRB approval in the United States well as at the University of Development Studies in Ghana and from Ghana's Ministry of Health. I have defended this dissertation research and it has been approved by my dissertation committee.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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