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

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