Comparative Analysis of Household Food and Nutrition Security in Selected Urban and Rural Households in the Time of Covid-19 Pandemic, Pili, Camarines Sur, 2021

Date

6-2022

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Julieta A. Delos Reyes

Committee Member

Julieta A. Delos Reyes, Agham C. Cuevas

Abstract

This study analyzed the household food and nutrition security of selected urban and rural households in Pili, Camarines Sur in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Primary data were obtained from 185 urban and rural households via structured interview schedules. The prevalence of food insecurity between urban and rural households was determined using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale of the Food and Agriculture Organization. The determinants of household food insecurity were analyzed through ordered logistic regression analysis. On the other hand, secondary data collected from Electronic Operation Timbang Plus (e-OPT) records of urban and rural barangays were used to determine the prevalence of undernourishment or malnutrition such as stunting and wasting between urban and rural households. These anthropometric measurements were used as indicators in the analysis of household nutrition security. The relationship between their food security level and nutrition security was assessed using Fisher’s Exact test.

The study found that there were more (89.1%) households that were food insecure during the pandemic and these were mostly in urban areas (88.3%) than in rural barangays (87.9%). However, based on the severity of food insecurity, many (44.7%) of food insecure urban households were just mild cases compared to rural households that incurred a high number of moderately (50.5%) and severely (16.5%) food insecure households. On the factors affecting the level of food insecurity of urban and rural households, it was determined that the age of the household head, household monthly income, household size, and access to credit were the significant variables that influence the food security level of urban households. The regression results for all the households also proved that the household urban-rural classification was a significant food insecurity determinant during the pandemic.

In the analysis of nutrition insecurity, stunting and wasting among children under the age of five were more evident in urban households while rural households incurred a higher prevalence of stunted and wasted 6-12 years old children. For the Body Mass Index (BMI) of household heads, being underweight was a more common problem in rural areas while obesity and overweight cases were more evident in urban households. The Fisher’s Exact Test results on the association between household food and nutrition security show that the nutrition security level of children 0 to 5 years old, school-aged children, and household heads was not significantly related to their food security status.

It was concluded that urban households were more food insecure during the pandemic with a slight difference than households in rural areas. However, severe food insecurity was observed more in rural households. In terms of nutrition, rural households were more nutrition insecure as the prevalence of malnutrition was relatively higher in this Area.

Based on the findings of the study, the following were recommended: (a) Promoting Sustainable Livelihood and Employment Programs for Food-insecure Households; (b) Provision of Nutrition and Healthcare Services for Low-Income Households; (c) Urban Gardening; (d) Nutrition Education in Rural Households; and (e) Promotion of Infant Feeding and Lactation in Urban Households.

Language

English

LC Subject

Food security

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2022 A14 R43

Notes

Course: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics

Award: B.M. Gonzales Best Thesis in Agricultural Policy

Document Type

Thesis

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