Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Household Food Security in Selected Households in Odeda local Government Area of Ogun State

ABSTRACT
Food security in Nigeria especially at the household level over the past years has been negatively and unstable. The occurrence of COVID-19 globally has however contributed to the decline in food availability and affordability as many individuals experienced economic collapse. This study investigated the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on household food security in 203 households in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. This cross-sectional study used an interviewer-administered questionnaire using validated socio-economic and socio-demographic questionnaires, Food insecurity experience scale (FIES) and coping strategy index (CSI) questionnaires. Data collection was carried out post-COVID and respondents were asked the question (FIES and CSI) retrospectively. Data was analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS VERSION 20.0). The findings revealed the prevalence of food insecurity in the selected households in the study area as 76.7% the prevalence of food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in households was 67.5%. More than three quarter (78%) of the respondents were involved in low coping strategies. There was a strong positive relationship between the FIES score of the respondents and the coping strategy index at P-value =0.01. In this study, respondents experienced a lack of access to food and income which made them employ coping strategies in other to manage lack or shortage of food. The pandemic also caused an aggravated increase in the level of food insecurity of respondents who were food insecure even before the lockdown.