Using qualitative, participatory and empowerment methods to examine women's ability to overcome household food insecurity

Household food insecurity creates public health challenges and is associated to nutritional intake imbalances. The challenge of food insecurity impacts the wellbeing of women, children, adults, families, communities and nations. Social determinants of health were examined to identify potential strategies for addressing household food insecurity. Qualitative methods were used to examine the social, cultural and political environments of women in rural northern Ghana. Focus group discussions with eight (8) women's association were conducted. Participatory and empowerment concepts were used. Community leaders, university, and the Ghana Ministry of Health participated in the processes of entering the community, recruitment and data collection. All focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim, engaging the women's voices in the process of examining household food insecurity. A codebook based on the interview guide was initially developed and adjusted as new codes were detected. Based on these qualitative findings, the researcher and women's associations participated in the process of structuring a quantitative tool to examine household food insecurity that had increased validity and reliability. The engaged voices of women's associations in Ghana played an important role in addressing the issues related to coping with household food insecurity. Participation of diverse community in the process of examining the food environment in rural Ghana empowered the women to be involved in addressing household food insecurity. There is a need for responsive policies that support expanded education, empowerment and income opportunities for women.