Landslide-effects on food security, the nutritional status of children under five years and the human right to adequate food in Uganda

Abstract

Landslides predispose individuals from low-resource communities to risk factors that may lead to poor nutritional health. A mixed methods cohort study was conducted to assess landslides and seasonality effects on food security, the nutritional status of small children, and the right to adequate food among households affected by the major 2010 and 2018 landslides in rural Uganda. The landslide-affected community was the study arm while a nearby community was the control arm. Using three-stages of simple randomization, 422 households including 392 children were assessed in May-August (food-plenty season) 2019. Six months later, in January-March (food-poor season) 2020, 388 households and 366 children were re-assessed. Food insecurity and child anthropometry were measured by standardized scoring questionnaires and WHO-standards, respectively. Four focus group discussions with 36 adults aged 18-55 and key informant interviews with 10 purposively sampled persons of authority, explored food insecurity and the right to adequate food issues. Overall, stunting (reduced height) prevalence during the food-poor season was 42.6% vs 37.7% in the food plenty season. The landslide-affected households experienced significantly more malnutrition and food insecurity than the controls and the effect was higher during the food-poor season. The landslide-affected households were significantly more likely to adopt food insecurity coping strategies compared to the control and in both seasons. Coping strategies were more pronounced during the food-poor season. Comprehension and awareness of the human right principles and state obligations regarding the right to adequate food were low among the study participants. This study indicates that landslides and seasonality contribute to food insecurity, child malnutrition and non-realization of the right to adequate food in rural Uganda.