From pandemic shock to inflation: a comparative analysis of household food security and coping strategies in Jamaica, before, during and post COVID-19

Adella Campbell; Lisa Reid; Binol Balachandar; Kayann D. Ford; Fitzroy J. Henry

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264054

Authors

Adella Campbell College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
Lisa Reid College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
Binol Balachandar College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
Kayann D. Ford College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
Fitzroy J. Henry College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264054

Keywords:

Coping strategies, COVID-19, Food insecurity, Household hunger, Inflation, Jamaica

Abstract

Background: Jamaica experienced successive shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflationary period that followed. This study compared household income, coping strategies and hunger indicators across 2018, 2020 and 2022, with 2018 used only as a contextual comparison rather than a stable baseline.

Methods: A comparative secondary analysis was conducted using aggregate household data. The main comparison was between 2020 and 2022. Descriptive percentage and percentage-point changes were examined for income categories, coping responses and household hunger.

Results: From 2020 to 2022, use of savings rose from 59.0% to 74.1%, borrowing from 24.6% to 46.0%, reduced meal quality from 16.0% to 31.0%, and begging from 5.5% to 28.0%; remittance use fell from 56.0% to 10.2%. No hunger declined from 58.3% to 32.9%, while moderate hunger increased from 13.5% to 41.8%. Combined moderate and severe hunger increased from 23.3% to 54.8%.

Conclusions: Household vulnerability was greater in 2022 than in 2020. The findings indicate increasing reliance on erosive coping strategies and worsening hunger during the post-pandemic inflationary period. Further study is required to clarify causal pathways and guide targeted social protection programmes.

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