@article{Singh_N-2023_147708,
title = {Food insecurity and perceived effects of COVID-19 on livelihoods in rural Sri Lanka},
author = {Singh, N. and Scott, S. and Kumar, N. and Ramani, G. and Marshall, Q. and Sinclair, K. and Kalupahana, S. and Fernando, M. and Silva, R. and Perera, A. and Jayatissa, R. and Olney, D.},
month = {sep},
year = {2023},
abstract = {Background: Little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected food security and livelihoods in Sri Lanka. Objective: This article aims to assess food insecurity, perceived effects of COVID-19, and coping mechanisms among agriculturebased households in rural Sri Lanka. Methods: We used 2 rounds of panel data from phone surveys (n ¼ 1057 households) conducted in 5 districts. Food insecurity (30-day recall), perceived impacts of COVID-19 (6-month recall), and coping mechanisms (6-month recall) were assessed using a household questionnaire. To assess food insecurity, we used the 8-item Food Insecurity Experience Scale. We tested for differences between T1 (baseline: December 2020-February 2021) and T2 (follow-up: July 2021-September 2021) and explored the association between food insecurity and the perceived effect of COVID-19 on income using a logistic regression model. Results: Food insecurity was highly prevalent (T1: 75%, T2: 80%) but varied across districts. Most respondents were affected by COVID-19 and/or COVID-19-associated mitigation measures (T1: 84%, T2: 89%). Among affected households, commonly reported impacts included those on income (T1: 77%, T2: 76%), food costs (T1: 84%, T2: 83%), and travel (*90% in both rounds). Agricultural activities were also adversely affected (T1: 64%, T2: 69%). About half of COVID-19-affected households reported selling livestock or assets to meet basic needs. Households whose income was impacted by COVID-19 were more likely to be food insecure (adjusted odds ratio: 2.56, P &lt; .001). Conclusions: Households in rural Sri Lanka experienced food insecurity and livelihood disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional surveys are needed to assess recovery post-COVID-19 and to understand if programs that support livelihoods have been protective.},
journal = {Food & Nutrition Bulletin},
publisher = {SAGE Publications},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/03795721231197249},
}
