title: Around the Table: Food Insecurity, Socioeconomic Status, and Instrumental Social Support among Women Living in a Rural Kenyan Island Community.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among socioeconomic status, social support, and food insecurity in a rural Kenyan island community. A cross-sectional random sample of 111 female heads of households representing 583 household members were surveyed in Mfangano Island, Kenya from August to October 2010 using adaptations of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. In multiple linear regression models, less instrumental social support, defined as concrete direct ways people help others (B = -0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.45 to -0.17), and decreased ownership scale based on owning material assets (B = -2.93; 95% CI -4.99 to -0.86) were significantly associated with increased food insecurity, controlling for age, education, marital status, and household size. Social support interventions geared at group capacity and resilience may be crucial adjuncts to improve and maintain the long term food security and health of persons living in low-resource regions.
authors: a Global Health Sciences , University of California-San Francisco , San Francisco , California , USA.
authors: Jason M
authors: JM
authors: Nagata
authors: Kathryn J
authors: KJ
authors: Fiorella
authors: Charles R
authors: CR
authors: Salmen
authors: Matthew D
authors: MD
authors: Hickey
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Mattah
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Magerenge
authors: Erin M
authors: EM
authors: Milner
authors: Sheri D
authors: SD
authors: Weiser
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Bukusi
authors: Craig R
authors: CR
authors: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D062312:Islands; D007630:Kenya; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Kenya; food security; global health; social network; social support; socioeconomic status