The impact of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) on household food security in high density residential areas of Lusaka, Zambia: experiences from Ng’ombe settlement.

COVID-19 undermines food security both directly by disrupting food systems and indirectly through the impacts of lockdowns on household incomes and physical access to food. COVID-19 and responses to the pandemic weaken food production, processing and marketing but the most concerning impacts are on the demand side, economic and physical access to food. This dissertation therefore, was assessing the experiences of residents of high density residential areas of Ng’ombe in terms of household food security before and during COVID-19 pandemic era. The objectives of the study were to: identify experiences attributed by COVID-19 on household food security, determine the dietary diversity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess how the households are responding towards food security strategies associated with COVID-19 in Ng’ombe. A mixed method approach was used to conduct this study. The study sample was 235 respondents. Data was collected using interview guides and questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test and chi-square using R statistical computing software and excel. The results were presented using tables, pie charts and graphs. The study revealed that Ng’ombe residents had a devastating experience during the COVID 19 era among which include reduction in income, hunger, job loss, skipped or reduced meal sizes and compromised diet. The above findings would cause malnutrition and other illnesses in line with nutritional deficiencies. The Covid-19 had significant impacts on food security and dietary diversity in Ng’ombe. This dissertation also pinpointed on areas that government and other actors would intervene to protect the food security of households left vulnerable by COVID-19 for example empowering the affected households with money for businesses and jobs creation to those that have qualifications. Keywords: COVID-19, Food security, High density areas, dietary diversity

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Zambia

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Michelo, Lizzy

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/8860

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.unza.zm:123456789/8860