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Title COVID-19 risk perception and food security in the MENA region: evidence from a multi-wave household survey
Full text http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:nai:diva-2962
Date 2024
Author(s) Abu Hatab, Assem; Krautscheid, Lena; Elsayied, Mohamed; Amuakwa-Mensah, Franklin
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic had disruptive consequences for MENA countries' agri-food value chains that exacerbated poverty and jeopardized food security. This study examines the relationship between individuals' perception of contracting COVID-19 and their experience of food insecurity, using longitudinal data from the Combined COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household survey. It also investigates the underlying mechanisms of COVID-19 concerns and explores coping strategies employed by households to identify vulnerabilities in food security. The results provide compelling evidence of a strong association between individuals' concern about the virus and various dimensions of food security, particularly reduced purchasing power and decreased meal frequency. Notably, this association follows an inverted U-shaped curve, with food insecurity initially increasing as worry grows, but declining after individuals contract the virus. High levels of concern were also linked to significant income decreases and worsening economic conditions. Moreover, individuals with higher concerns were more likely to rely on specific coping strategies, particularly spending savings and obtaining funds from relatives or friends. These findings underscore the need for government interventions during disease outbreaks and economic downturns to focus on alleviating individuals' worry and fear to facilitate informed decision-making that minimizes food insecurity consequences. Additionally, the findings emphasize the need to strengthen social protection systems during public health and economic challenges to ensure food security for vulnerable populations.
Subject(s) Covid-19; Risk perception; Consumer nutrition; Food security; MENA region; Other Agricultural Sciences; Annan lantbruksvetenskap; Economics and Business; Ekonomi och näringsliv; Social Sciences Interdisciplinary; Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap
Language eng
Publisher Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Economics & Rural Development, Arish University, Al-Arish, Egypt; Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
Relation Food Security, 1876-4517, 2024, 16, s. 989-1008
Type of publication Article in journal; info:eu-repo/semantics/article; text
Format application/pdf
Rights info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Identifier 0000-0002-6764-1887; doi:10.1007/s12571-024-01470-z
Repository Sweden, Norway - NAI-DiVA-portal
Added to C-A: 2024-09-23;09:00:55