Household food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of associated factors and prevalence during covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carries the heaviest burden of food insecurity globally, a challenge compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions. This systematic review sough to assess the prevalence and factors associated with household food insecurity in SSA during the pandemic. Searches were conducted in three bibliographic databases and two search engines on October 30, 2023, covering the period from March 2020 to October 2022. Peer-reviewed studies reporting on the prevalence and contributing factors of household food insecurity were included. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology tool. A total of 29 publications from 12 countries were reviewed. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) were the most frequently used instruments for assessing food insecurity. The prevalence of household food insecurity during the pandemic ranged from 11.2% to 98.8%, with an average rate of 53.7%. COVID-19 restrictions were linked to increased food insecurity in six studies, and pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as lower educational attainment, older household heads, and low household income, persisted. Rising food prices and a lack of alternative livelihoods further heightened household vulnerability during the pandemic. Although the review found no significant change in overall food insecurity levels compared to pre-pandemic periods, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 could worsen the situation. Immediate action, including the provision of social protection and agricultural support, is critical to preventing further deterioration in food security.