Ecology of Food and Nutrition
Volume 58, Issue 3, 2019, Pages 247-264

Barriers and Facilitators to Food Security among Adult Burundian and Congolese Refugee Females Resettled in the US (Article)

McElrone M. , Colby S.E.* , Moret L. , Kavanagh K. , Spence M. , Fouts H.N. , Ellington A. , Payne M.
  • a Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
  • b Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
  • c Department of Educational Psychology & Counseling, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
  • d Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
  • e Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
  • f Department of Child & Family Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
  • g Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
  • h Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States

Abstract

Sub-Saharan African refugees in the US have reported food security rates seven times below the national average. Dietary acculturation issues may be a contributing factor. Criterion-specific sample (n = 18) was recruited using network then snowball sampling methods. Semi-structured interviews were facilitated with the aid of a culturally and linguistically appropriate interpreter. An iterative, two cycle coding analytic process was completed within NVivo 11 by two coders who sought inter-rater reliability. Codes were organized into hierarchical maps and coding matrices for direct content analysis, and pattern and theme detection. Saturation was achieved and validated with an additional two interviews. Participants were primarily Burundian (67% vs. 33% Congolese), married (72%), held no high school degree (72%), unemployed (56%) and reported limited English proficiency (72%). Barriers and facilitators to food security across all levels of the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) were noted. Emerging themes included difficulty with language, cooking, and shopping; transportation; social network support; orientation services; reliance on nutrition assistance programs; limited culturally relevant food and land access; and program policy miscomprehension. The complex relationship between dietary acculturation barriers and facilitators at various SEM levels demonstrates the need for a multi-level intervention to improve food security among refugees. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

nutrition Dietary acculturation Food security Refugee

Index Keywords

communication barrier unemployment Communication Barriers refugee sampling high school cooking human Refugees middle aged shopping Food Supply social network diet Congo social support language ethnology qualitative research catering service United States Young Adult Burundi Humans Adolescent married person male semi structured interview Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female socioeconomics clinical article interrater reliability Healthy Diet cultural factor food assistance Article nutrition adult food security human experiment content analysis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85064001138&doi=10.1080%2f03670244.2019.1598981&partnerID=40&md5=efec28066c8b250c13da0ca0b326f5fe
DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2019.1598981
ISSN: 03670244
Original Language: English