Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 1(4), pp. 166 - 171
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2013.010402
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The Ability of Women to Overcome Household Food Insecurity: Social Support & Social Networks

P. Qasimah Boston, MPH, DrPH ^1,*, Saleh M.M. Rahman, MD, PhD, MPH ², C. Perry Brown, MSPH, DrPH ³, Ivette A. Lopez, PhD ⁴, Mitwe Musingo, PhD ⁵, Coumba Mar Gadio, PhD ^6
1 Florida Department of Children& Families, Children's Mental Health System of Care, Florida, United States
² Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University & College of Medicine, Florida State University, 209-A FSH Science & Research Center, Tallahassee, FL 32307, United States
³ Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, 207-F FSH Science & Research Center, Tallahassee, FL 32307, United States
⁴ Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, 203-C FSH Science & Research Center, Tallahassee, FL 32307, United States
⁵ College of Agriculture & Food Science, Florida A&M University, Florida, United States
⁶ United Nations Development Program, Mauritania, West Africa

ABSTRACT

Food insecurity is a daily reality for millions globally and persists in rural northern Ghana. Being more a problem in resource poor countries, it challenges the wellbeing of children, adults, families and communities by creating public health problems including; low birth weight babies, mental health conditions, diabetes and obesity. This research examined associations between social networks and social support and women’s ability to overcome household food insecurity. A two-phase mixed method quantitative and qualitative data collection technique was applied. A 24-item instrument was developed, pilot tested, validated and administered among women responsible for food preparation in the household (n=241). Measures of household food insecurity, socio-demographic, social network, and perceived social support were constructed and analyzed using SPSS 19®. Women in northern rural Ghana who were married, with higher social supports and social networks were more likely to experience low household food insecurity. Of 241 women, 88% were married, 39% had co-wives, 80% did not have formal education, the average age was 40 years and the average number of adults per household was 7. Correlation analysis and logistic regression models revealed social networks, perceived social support, marital status and years living in the village were significantly associated to the experience of low household food insecurity.

KEYWORDS
Public Health, Wellbeing, Food Insecurity, Perceived Social Support, Social Networks, Ghana, West Africa

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] P. Qasimah Boston, MPH, DrPH , Saleh M.M. Rahman, MD, PhD, MPH , C. Perry Brown, MSPH, DrPH , Ivette A. Lopez, PhD , Mitwe Musingo, PhD , Coumba Mar Gadio, PhD , "The Ability of Women to Overcome Household Food Insecurity: Social Support & Social Networks," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 166 - 171, 2013. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2013.010402.

(b). APA Format:
P. Qasimah Boston, MPH, DrPH , Saleh M.M. Rahman, MD, PhD, MPH , C. Perry Brown, MSPH, DrPH , Ivette A. Lopez, PhD , Mitwe Musingo, PhD , Coumba Mar Gadio, PhD (2013). The Ability of Women to Overcome Household Food Insecurity: Social Support & Social Networks. Universal Journal of Public Health, 1(4), 166 - 171. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2013.010402.