Browsing by Author "Phiri, Alice"

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    Assessment of access to food by households in Epworth (Ward 3) Harare, Zimbabwe
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Phiri, Alice; Boatemaa Kushitor, Sandra; Sigge, Gunnar; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Food Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Urban food insecurity is on the rise globally, particularly in the global south which is experiencing a surge in urbanization. High poverty levels, high levels of unemployment, volatile exchange rates, inflation, rising food prices, and generally high cost of living are some of the drivers of urban food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe has gone through decades of macro-economic and political instability increasing the vulnerability of urban and peri-urban dwellers to food insecurity. This study assessed how households in Epworth, Ward 3 access food and the degree of coping when households do not have enough food or income to purchase food. The study sought to determine the level of food insecurity in Epworth Ward 3, the levels of income of households in Epworth, their sources of income and food, the percentage of income they spend on food and the degree of coping employed by households. To answer these questions quantitative research based on a case study approach was carried out in Epworth Ward 3 in which 200 households were sampled using a random sampling technique. A questionnaire that adopted the FANTA questions (Coates et al., 2007) was used to capture the Household Food Access Insecurity Score (HFIAS), Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), Food Consumption Score (FCS), and the Reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) indicators of food security. Findings from the research showed that more than half of the sampled households were moderately and severely food insecure. A greater number of households in Epworth Ward 3 consumed 2 meals per day. There is varied dietary diversity among the sampled households however, there is a sizeable population that consumes poor diets. Most households in Epworth rely on market purchases as their source of food. Total monthly incomes of the sampled households are very low and households spent a greater proportion of their incomes on food. Results showed that households with low monthly incomes were more food insecure. The study also showed that the more food insecure the higher the degree of coping. Overall food insecurity in Epworth Ward 3 is still very high. The research recommended continuous monitoring of the food security situation in Epworth with evolving macroeconomic conditions in Zimbabwe to continuously have a clear picture of the food insecurity in the area. This will inform the local board and decision-makers to tailor-make interventions that address the needs of different households in Epworth. Since most households rely on street and mobile vendors as sources of food there is a need to monitor and assess the safety and hygiene practices. The research recommends school feeding programs to increase the number of meals consumed by school-going children thereby improving their food and nutrition security situation. The researcher also recommends the government to introduce social safety net programs in Epworth as households are in precarious food security situation.