Liberians living in the U.S.: an examination of post-resettlement food insecurity and associated factors

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Danielle Lee Nunnery (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Jigna Dharod

Abstract: Objectives: To examine post-resettlement food insecurity rate and its relationship with socio-demographic and pre-resettlement characteristics among Liberian households; and assess differences in the amount of money spent on food per month by household characteristics. Design: Semi-structured in-home interviews. Setting: Southeast region of the US. Subjects: Liberian women caring for children 12 years of age or younger (n = 33). Results: Participants have lived in the US for 12 years on average. Food insecurity of any level was indicated in 61 % of households and child hunger or severe food insecurity was reported in 30 % of households. Food insecurity was higher among women who were aged 40 or older, had high school or less education and those making less than $1000 per month. Women who had arrived in the US older than 15 years of age were more likely to be food insecure. On average, participants spent $ 109 monthly on groceries per household member. In estimating differences, results indicated that older women, those who experienced food insecurity and did not have a car spent more money on food than their counterparts (P ≤ .10). Conclusions: Liberian women experience high levels of food insecurity upon resettlement. Besides poor economic conditions, pre-resettlement characteristics such as number of years in refugee camps and age upon arrival (school age vs. older than school age) were associated with food security status. These findings call for future research to further understand what role pre-resettlement living conditions and experiences affect food choices, budgeting and thereby food security status among refugees.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2012
Keywords
Food Insecurity, Food management, Liberia, Pre-migration, Resettlement
Subjects
Food security $z United states $v Case studies
Refugees $z Liberia $x Economic conditions
Refugees $z United States $x Economic conditions

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