Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Between Slum and Non-Slum Areas in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study
Introduction: Food insecurity is a vital issue, especially in places such as Kinshasa. Additionally, food insecurity has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, this study examined food insecurity in Kinshasa after the peak of the pandemic to u...
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2024-11-01
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| author | Pierre Z. Akilimali Benito M. Kazenza Francis K. Kabasubabo Landry M. Egbende Dynah M. Kayembe Nguyen Toan Tran Désiré K. Mashinda |
| author_facet | Pierre Z. Akilimali Benito M. Kazenza Francis K. Kabasubabo Landry M. Egbende Dynah M. Kayembe Nguyen Toan Tran Désiré K. Mashinda |
| author_sort | Pierre Z. Akilimali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Food insecurity is a vital issue, especially in places such as Kinshasa. Additionally, food insecurity has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, this study examined food insecurity in Kinshasa after the peak of the pandemic to understand the impact of post-pandemic recovery efforts as well as the heterogeneity of this problem according to the residence of respondent (slum vs. non-slum areas). Methods: Grounded in the four key dimensions of food security (availability, access, vulnerability, and utilization), this cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa with a representative sample of 2170 households selected from 62 enumeration areas. We used a questionnaire to interview participants about their food situations. Interviews were conducted with the head of each household or their designated representative by 150 master’s students using tablets powered by the SurveyCTO application. Household food security status was evaluated using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. A logistic regression model was developed to assess household risk factors associated with food insecurity. Results: Most people we talked to were over 40 years old, and many lived in households with fewer than six people. About a third of the households were overcrowded. The prevalence of food insecurity was 76.5% (95%CI: 74.6–78.3). Factors associated with food insecurity included being a household head aged over 50 years, insufficient living space, lower socioeconomic status, and residing in slum areas (AOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06–1.79). Conclusions: Vulnerable groups, such as slum residents, older adults, and informal workers are more likely to be affected by food insecurity. Addressing these challenges requires the government to develop targeted strategies that bolster resilience and mitigate household vulnerability during crises. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-6c863a3c7b564dd68fd300a37256484a2025-08-20T02:28:10ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582024-11-011322365710.3390/foods13223657Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Between Slum and Non-Slum Areas in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional StudyPierre Z. Akilimali0Benito M. Kazenza1Francis K. Kabasubabo2Landry M. Egbende3Dynah M. Kayembe4Nguyen Toan Tran5Désiré K. Mashinda6Patrick Kayembe Research Center, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 11850, Democratic Republic of the CongoDepartment of Nutrition, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 11850, Democratic Republic of the CongoPatrick Kayembe Research Center, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 11850, Democratic Republic of the CongoDepartment of Nutrition, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 11850, Democratic Republic of the CongoPatrick Kayembe Research Center, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 11850, Democratic Republic of the CongoAustralian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Sydney, NSW 2007, AustraliaDepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa P.O. Box 11850, Democratic Republic of the CongoIntroduction: Food insecurity is a vital issue, especially in places such as Kinshasa. Additionally, food insecurity has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, this study examined food insecurity in Kinshasa after the peak of the pandemic to understand the impact of post-pandemic recovery efforts as well as the heterogeneity of this problem according to the residence of respondent (slum vs. non-slum areas). Methods: Grounded in the four key dimensions of food security (availability, access, vulnerability, and utilization), this cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa with a representative sample of 2170 households selected from 62 enumeration areas. We used a questionnaire to interview participants about their food situations. Interviews were conducted with the head of each household or their designated representative by 150 master’s students using tablets powered by the SurveyCTO application. Household food security status was evaluated using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. A logistic regression model was developed to assess household risk factors associated with food insecurity. Results: Most people we talked to were over 40 years old, and many lived in households with fewer than six people. About a third of the households were overcrowded. The prevalence of food insecurity was 76.5% (95%CI: 74.6–78.3). Factors associated with food insecurity included being a household head aged over 50 years, insufficient living space, lower socioeconomic status, and residing in slum areas (AOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06–1.79). Conclusions: Vulnerable groups, such as slum residents, older adults, and informal workers are more likely to be affected by food insecurity. Addressing these challenges requires the government to develop targeted strategies that bolster resilience and mitigate household vulnerability during crises.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3657slum areasfood securityKinshasapost-pandemic recovery |
| spellingShingle | Pierre Z. Akilimali Benito M. Kazenza Francis K. Kabasubabo Landry M. Egbende Dynah M. Kayembe Nguyen Toan Tran Désiré K. Mashinda Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Between Slum and Non-Slum Areas in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study Foods slum areas food security Kinshasa post-pandemic recovery |
| title | Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Between Slum and Non-Slum Areas in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full | Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Between Slum and Non-Slum Areas in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_fullStr | Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Between Slum and Non-Slum Areas in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Between Slum and Non-Slum Areas in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_short | Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Between Slum and Non-Slum Areas in Kinshasa, DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_sort | household food insecurity during the covid 19 pandemic between slum and non slum areas in kinshasa dr congo a cross sectional study |
| topic | slum areas food security Kinshasa post-pandemic recovery |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/22/3657 |
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