Determinants of Household Food Security Status during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Mtendeka Rural Area of KwaZulu-Natal Province

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the food security status and the factors affecting rural households during the Covid-19  period. Data was collected through questionnaires and descriptive analysis. HFIAS and ordered logistic regression were  used to analyse data. Thirty per cent of households were food secure, 62.5 per cent mildly food insecure, and 7.5 per  cent were moderately food insecure. The age of the household head, marital status, educational level, and number of  minors had a negative impact on HFIAS, while impact of Covid-19 on household income and social grants had a positive  effect on household income. Age and household head education level improved food security status, whereas  dependence on social grants and income affected by Covid19 caused food insecurity. The study recommends that government invest in education. Household heads must be educated on diversifying their livelihood options. There is a  need to supplement social grants to meet household food needs.