The impact of Hiv/Aids on household food security in Arumeru district Tanzania
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Date
2004
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The growing burden of HIV/AIDS has impact on household food security. Families suffer
food insecurity because the disease strikes the most economically productive members of
ths society. However, few researches have been undertaken to examine this situation in
Arameru District. This study was therefore conducted in Animcru District in 2003 to
examine the influence of HIV/AIDS on households food security. It specifically focused
or. the social problems associated with HIV/AIDS in household, food accessibility, effects
of HIV/AIDS on agricultural production and strategies that are used by households to cope
•.'/ ■■.h food insecurity. The study employed a cross sectional survey involving 104
households of which 52 households were affected by HIV/AIDS and 52 households were
not affected by HIV/AIDS. A snowball sampling technique was employed in the selection
of the HIV/AIDS affected households. Systematic sampling was used in selecting
households that were not affected by HIV/AIDS. Data for the study was collected by using
structured questionnaire. Statistical package for Social Scientist (SPSS) was used to
analyse data generated by questionnaire.
The results showed high incidence of food
insecurity in the affected households. Furthermore effects of HIV/AIDS on households
also included age dependence, orphanhood, and migration of family members, school
unattendance and inheritance of widows. The results further revealed the changes in the
sources of income and decrease in the average weekly income in the affected and
unaffected household. Decrease in the size of land used for agriculture and changes in the
types of food and cash crop produced were also observed. This was due to inadequate cash
to purchase agricultural inputs, selling of land and delay in starting agricultural activities,
inadequate money to buy agricultural inputs, inadequate time to undertake agriculturaliii
activities and soil infertility. A change in knowledge that was used in agriculture and
livestock production obtained from parents was observed in the both types of households.
In addition, substitution of food with cheap commodities was observed to be the dominant
coping strategy used by majority of the households.
The increased incidence of
HIV/AIDS in rural areas calls for more emphasis on I1IV/AIDS prevention programs.
•'r.ere is also a need for more education to women and youth to practice safe sex. In order
to raise the level of food security at the household, niral households should be encouraged
to go for non-farming employment.
Description
Masters Disertation
Keywords
Hiv/Aids, Arumeru district, household food security