Options
Food insecurity and sociodemographic factors in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic
Journal
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública
ISSN
1680-5348
Date Issued
2024-04-04
Author(s)
Stephanie Novoa-Sanzana
José Moya-Osorio
Israel Ríos-Castillo
Luis Miguel Becerra Granados
Gloria Prada Gómez
Mónica Ramos de Ixtacuy
Roxana Carla Fernández Condori
María Celeste Nessier
Ana Guerrero Gómez
Laura González-Céspedes
Edna J. Nava-González
Luisa Pérez Ocampo
Adriana Nathaly Castillo-Albarracín
Samuel Durán-Agüero
DOI
10.26633/RPSP.2024.21
Abstract
<sec>
<title>Objective.</title>
<p>To understand the association of food insecurity with sociodemographic factors in a sample population in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods.</title>
<p>This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 10 countries in Latin America using an online survey through various digital platforms from October 14, 2020 to February 15, 2021. Statistical analysis of data was performed by applying descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<title>Results.</title>
<p>Of a total of 6 357 surveys, 58.2% of respondents experienced food security, 29.3% were slightly food insecure, 9.2% were moderately food insecure, and 3.3% were severely food insecure. Concerning the association food insecurity and sociodemographic variables, there is a significant association in the variables studied, including area of residence, education level, occupation, number of persons in the household, household with children younger than 10 years of age, and socioeconomic level.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusions.</title>
<p>These findings indicate that sociodemographic factors associated with food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America were rural residence; complete and incomplete basic and secondary schooling; occupation (homemaker, unemployed, and self-employed); low, medium-low, and medium socioeconomic level; household with more than four persons; and household with children younger than 10 years of age.</p>
</sec>
<title>Objective.</title>
<p>To understand the association of food insecurity with sociodemographic factors in a sample population in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods.</title>
<p>This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 10 countries in Latin America using an online survey through various digital platforms from October 14, 2020 to February 15, 2021. Statistical analysis of data was performed by applying descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<title>Results.</title>
<p>Of a total of 6 357 surveys, 58.2% of respondents experienced food security, 29.3% were slightly food insecure, 9.2% were moderately food insecure, and 3.3% were severely food insecure. Concerning the association food insecurity and sociodemographic variables, there is a significant association in the variables studied, including area of residence, education level, occupation, number of persons in the household, household with children younger than 10 years of age, and socioeconomic level.</p>
</sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusions.</title>
<p>These findings indicate that sociodemographic factors associated with food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America were rural residence; complete and incomplete basic and secondary schooling; occupation (homemaker, unemployed, and self-employed); low, medium-low, and medium socioeconomic level; household with more than four persons; and household with children younger than 10 years of age.</p>
</sec>