Food Consumption and Coping Strategies of Urban-Households in Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Iheme GO, Jagun AO, Egechizuorom IM, Ogbonna OC, Edafioghor LO et (2020). Food consumption and coping strategies of urban households in Nigeria. World Nutrition 11 (3): 35-50

16 Pages Posted: 8 Oct 2020

See all articles by Gideon Iheme

Gideon Iheme

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Nigeria

Alli O. Jagun

University of Abuja, Nigeria - University Of Abuja Teaching Hospital

Ifeoma M. Egechizuorom

Federal Medical Centre

Obinna C. Ogbonna

Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex

Linda O. Edafioghor

Federal Medical Centre

Folasade A. Adeleke

Federal Medical Centre

Nwabumma C. Asouzu

Federal Medical Centre

Abdulafeez S. Mebude

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)

Hannah C. Enuka

University of Nigeria - Teaching Hospital

Oluwadamilare E. Kupoluyi

Federal Medical Centre

Cynthia C. Onyekwere

Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Uchechi P. Okwu

University of Benin - University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Linda E. Olah

Jos University Teaching Hospital

Date Written: September 1, 2020

Abstract

Background and Objective: The COVID-19 has prompted many countries to adopt temporary “lockdown” as an approach to curtail viral spread. This study investigated the food consumption and coping strategies of urban-households in Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Methods: This cross-sectional, web-based study employed a snowball sampling technique to recruit 477 household heads/spouses living in cities/towns of six Nigerian states by encouraging those sent the survey questionnaire link to share with their eligible contacts. Logistic regression was used to reveal the socio-economic determinants of households’ food consumption and coping strategies, as reported on self-administered questionnaires. Respondents were asked to retrospectively indicate how lockdown affected their food consumption.

Results: More than half (55.7%) of respondents and 50.8% of their spouses reported a decline in their earning capacity. A high (>4days/week) mean consumption frequency of six food groups was reported. Consuming less expensive (mean, 2.64 ± SD 2.44 days/week) or less preferred foods (1.93 ± 2.04 days/week), and meal rationing (limit portions at meal time -1.50 ± 2.11 days/week, reduce meal number- 1.4 ± 2.19 days/week, limit adults intake- 1.28 ± 2.18 days/week) were the most common coping strategies adopted by the households.. The likelihood of adopting coping strategies was significantly higher amongst households with income decline, the less educated and self-employed categories.

Conclusion: In this study, a high frequency of diverse food consumption and mild adoption of food related coping strategies was generally observed, however the impact of the lockdown on food coping strategies was significantly felt by some groups. Efforts to target social assistance programs to these disadvantaged groups should be promoted, as it will strengthen their resilience to cope with food crisis.

Keywords: COVID-19 lockdown, coping strategies, consumption frequency, urban households, Nigeria

Suggested Citation

Iheme, Gideon and Jagun, Alli O. and Egechizuorom, Ifeoma M. and Ogbonna, Obinna C. and Edafioghor, Linda O. and Adeleke, Folasade A. and Asouzu, Nwabumma C. and Mebude, Abdulafeez S. and Enuka, Hannah C. and Kupoluyi, Oluwadamilare E. and Onyekwere, Cynthia C. and Okwu, Uchechi P. and Olah, Linda E., Food Consumption and Coping Strategies of Urban-Households in Nigeria During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown (September 1, 2020). Iheme GO, Jagun AO, Egechizuorom IM, Ogbonna OC, Edafioghor LO et (2020). Food consumption and coping strategies of urban households in Nigeria. World Nutrition 11 (3): 35-50, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3703169 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3703169

Gideon Iheme (Contact Author)

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Nigeria ( email )

Ikot Ekpene Road Umudike Abia state
Umuahia, Abia State, PMB 7267
Nigeria
+2347062691795 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1554-5970

Alli O. Jagun

University of Abuja, Nigeria - University Of Abuja Teaching Hospital

Nigeria

Ifeoma M. Egechizuorom

Federal Medical Centre

Owo, Ondo State
Nigeria

Obinna C. Ogbonna

Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex

Ile-Ife
Nigeria

Linda O. Edafioghor

Federal Medical Centre

Owo, Ondo State
Nigeria

Folasade A. Adeleke

Federal Medical Centre

Owo, Ondo State
Nigeria

Nwabumma C. Asouzu

Federal Medical Centre

Owo, Ondo State
Nigeria

Abdulafeez S. Mebude

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)

P.M.B. 1044
Samaru
Zaria, Kaduna State
Nigeria

Hannah C. Enuka

University of Nigeria - Teaching Hospital

Nigeria

Oluwadamilare E. Kupoluyi

Federal Medical Centre

Owo, Ondo State
Nigeria

Cynthia C. Onyekwere

Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Idi-Araba,Surulere
Lagos, PMB 12003
Nigeria

Uchechi P. Okwu

University of Benin - University of Benin Teaching Hospital

P.M.B 1111
Ugbowo Lagos Road
Benin City, Edo State
Nigeria

Linda E. Olah

Jos University Teaching Hospital

Nigeria

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