Experience of food insecurity among elderly: nature, health impact and social support system in Mvomero District- Morogoro

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity among elderly is a growing concern. Studies on food insecurity in Tanzania have been quantitative in nature and have focused on specific population groups such as those of people living with HIV and women. However, there is very little, if any, qualitative research information in Tanzania on experiences of food insecurity among elderly with respect to its nature, health impact and social support system. It is this gap in knowledge that this study intended to fill. Broad objective: To explore food insecurity experiences among elderly with respect to its nature, perceived health impact and the social support system. Methodology: This study employed a qualitative study that used explorative study design. It took place at Mvomero district council. A total of 50 food insecure elderly people and three district officials dealing with elderly welfare were involved in this study. In-depth interviews were conducted to 25 elderly people and 3 district officials. Three focused group discussion were also conducted involving only elderly people with 8-9 participants in each FGD. Participants were employed in the study using anon-probability purposive sampling method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focused group discussions; interviews were audio recorded and analyzed using thematic analysis method. Results: The study found that elderly have limited access to food, eat less number of meals as well as insufficient amount of meals. It was revealed that circumstance associated with food insecurity were limited strength to engage themselves in farm activities or working as casual laborer to earn some money to buy food, limited strength to prepare food, burden of taking care of grandchildren and inadequate food support from children. Reported perceived health effects were wasting, being too old for age, limited strength to carry out activities and non-adherence to treatment. The study also found that the only social support to ensure availability of food to the elderly were TASAF and religious groups. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the elderly people experience food insecurity with respect to both quantity and quality. Consequently, elderly are vulnerable to nutrition related ill-health as self-reported in this study: limited strength, wasting, non-adherence to treatment, and too old for age. Food insecurity and adverse outcomes have been attributed to very limited support that range from the family to the national levels. Therefore, it is high time that a strategy was developed to ensure that all elderly are food secure.