ASSOCIATION OF FOOD SECURITY AND HOUSEHOLD DEMOGRAPHICS IN A SOUTH AFRICAN TOWNSHIP

Year 2017, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 157 - 170, 01.06.2017

Tshediso Joseph Sekhampu

Abstract

Research shows that food insecurity is one of the challenges that post-apartheid
South Africa faces. Food security indicators note that South Africa as a country
has an apparent state of sufficiency, while household indicators show great
disparities between urban and rural households. The purpose of this study was to
analyse the food security status of households in the township of Kwakwatsi, Free
State province. Data were collected through a household survey to determine the
association between household food security and the demographic variables of a
household. Of the sampled households, 51.1% were found to be food secure
according to the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Logistic
regression analysis revealed that there is a clear correlation between household
size, household income, and gender and marital status of the household head and
household food security. While household size, and the gender and marital status
of the household head were associated with food insecurity, an increase in
household income and the age of the household head were associated with food
security. The study offers trends in food security and can be used as a reference
source when addressing socio-economic challenges that low-income households
in South African townships face.

Keywords

food security, household, socio-economic