Navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: unpacking food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The COVID-19 pandemic, a significant and potentially catastrophic biological threat, has triggered systemic breakdowns. This study investigates the post-pandemic landscape, focusing on food security and coping strategies among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our study used a mixed explana...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Food & Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2412370 |
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| author | Gemechu Ameya Desalegn Yayeh Ayal |
| author_facet | Gemechu Ameya Desalegn Yayeh Ayal |
| author_sort | Gemechu Ameya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic, a significant and potentially catastrophic biological threat, has triggered systemic breakdowns. This study investigates the post-pandemic landscape, focusing on food security and coping strategies among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our study used a mixed explanatory research design, incorporating the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HAFIAS), Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), and the Reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) for assessment. Among 347 participants, only 16.1% achieved food security, with the majority (83.9%) experiencing food insecurity. This insecurity was categorized as mild for 22.3%, moderate for 56.4%, and severe for 21.3%. Coping strategies included reducing meal sizes, decreasing daily meals, and opting for more affordable, less-preferred foods. Socio-economic and demographic factors, along with adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, influenced food security, dietary diversity, and coping strategies. Financial strain exacerbated food insecurity, while age and household size played pivotal roles in determining food security. Adherence to preventive measures increased the likelihood of adopting adaptive coping strategies, revealing the interconnectedness of public health and food security. The qualitative analysis highlighted significant disruptions in livelihoods and food systems due to the pandemic, underscoring the necessity for targeted support and policy interventions to bolster food security within the informal sector. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic presents a critical challenge to food security among informal workers in Addis Ababa, necessitating adaptive coping strategies and targeted interventions. This research not only emphasizes the urgency of comprehending these dynamics but also provides practical insights for well-informed decision-making in post-pandemic recovery endeavors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-328c412afb504a989ebca54485e0187d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2331-1932 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Food & Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-328c412afb504a989ebca54485e0187d2025-08-20T01:58:52ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Food & Agriculture2331-19322024-12-0110110.1080/23311932.2024.2412370Navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: unpacking food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors among informal workers in Addis Ababa, EthiopiaGemechu Ameya0Desalegn Yayeh Ayal1Menelik II Medical and Health Sciences College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCenter of Food Security, College of Food Security and Developmental Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaThe COVID-19 pandemic, a significant and potentially catastrophic biological threat, has triggered systemic breakdowns. This study investigates the post-pandemic landscape, focusing on food security and coping strategies among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our study used a mixed explanatory research design, incorporating the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HAFIAS), Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), and the Reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) for assessment. Among 347 participants, only 16.1% achieved food security, with the majority (83.9%) experiencing food insecurity. This insecurity was categorized as mild for 22.3%, moderate for 56.4%, and severe for 21.3%. Coping strategies included reducing meal sizes, decreasing daily meals, and opting for more affordable, less-preferred foods. Socio-economic and demographic factors, along with adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, influenced food security, dietary diversity, and coping strategies. Financial strain exacerbated food insecurity, while age and household size played pivotal roles in determining food security. Adherence to preventive measures increased the likelihood of adopting adaptive coping strategies, revealing the interconnectedness of public health and food security. The qualitative analysis highlighted significant disruptions in livelihoods and food systems due to the pandemic, underscoring the necessity for targeted support and policy interventions to bolster food security within the informal sector. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic presents a critical challenge to food security among informal workers in Addis Ababa, necessitating adaptive coping strategies and targeted interventions. This research not only emphasizes the urgency of comprehending these dynamics but also provides practical insights for well-informed decision-making in post-pandemic recovery endeavors.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2412370Aftermath COVID-19coping strategydietary diversityfood securityinformal workerspandemic |
| spellingShingle | Gemechu Ameya Desalegn Yayeh Ayal Navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: unpacking food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Cogent Food & Agriculture Aftermath COVID-19 coping strategy dietary diversity food security informal workers pandemic |
| title | Navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: unpacking food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_full | Navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: unpacking food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: unpacking food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: unpacking food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_short | Navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: unpacking food insecurity, coping strategies, and associated factors among informal workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| title_sort | navigating the aftermath of the covid 19 pandemic unpacking food insecurity coping strategies and associated factors among informal workers in addis ababa ethiopia |
| topic | Aftermath COVID-19 coping strategy dietary diversity food security informal workers pandemic |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2412370 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gemechuameya navigatingtheaftermathofthecovid19pandemicunpackingfoodinsecuritycopingstrategiesandassociatedfactorsamonginformalworkersinaddisababaethiopia AT desalegnyayehayal navigatingtheaftermathofthecovid19pandemicunpackingfoodinsecuritycopingstrategiesandassociatedfactorsamonginformalworkersinaddisababaethiopia |