title: HIV and severity of seasonal household food-related coping behaviors in rural Ghana.
abstract: In-depth research was conducted to evaluate the seasonal food insecurity of HIV-positive and HIV-negative farm households in the Eastern Region, Ghana. A Coping Strategy Index (CSI) was used to assess household food-related coping behaviors. HIV-positive farm households often relied on both less severe and more severe coping behaviors, had a higher CSI, cultivated a smaller field area, harvested fewer food species from farms and gardens, and obtained income from fewer sources than HIV-negative farm households in both the post-harvest and lean seasons. We conclude that food insecurity is more severe in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative farm households in both seasons.
authors.affiliation: Plant Genetics Research Institute, Bunoso, Ghana.
authors.forename: Suzy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akrofi
authors.forename: Lisa L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Struik
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D004032:Diet; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D051639:Gardening / Q000379:methods; D005869:Ghana; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D007182:Income; D044342:Malnutrition; D011203:Poverty; D012621:Seasons