BMC public health
Volume 19, Issue 1, 2019

A mixed-methods evaluation of community-based healthy kitchens as social enterprises for refugee women (Article) (Open Access)

Sahyoun N.R. , Jamaluddine Z. , Choufani J. , Mesmar S. , Reese-Masterson A. , Ghattas H.
  • a Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, MD, College Park, United States
  • b Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, POBox 11-0236/EPHD, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon
  • c Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, POBox 11-0236/EPHD, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, United States
  • d Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, POBox 11-0236/EPHD, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon
  • e Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, POBox 11-0236/EPHD, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon, CT, New Haven, United States
  • f Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, POBox 11-0236/EPHD, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the potential impact of a community-based intervention - the Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Children (HKHC) intervention - on participating women's household's economics and food security status, decision making, mental health and social support. METHODS: We established two healthy kitchens in existing community-based organizations in Palestinian camps in Lebanon. These were set up as small business enterprises, using participatory approaches to develop recipes and train women in food preparation, food safety and entrepreneurship. We used a mixed-methods approach to assess the impact of participating in the program on women's economic, food security, decision making, social and mental health outcomes. A questionnaire was administered to women at baseline and at an 8-month endpoint. The end line survey was complemented by a set of embedded open-ended questions. RESULTS: Thirty-two Palestinian refugee women were employed within the kitchens on a rotating basis. Participating women had a 13% increase in household expenditure. This was translated into a significant increase in food (p < 0.05) and clothing expenditures (p < 0.01), as well as a reduction in food insecurity score (p < 0.01). These findings were supported by qualitative data which found that the kitchens provided women with financial support in addition to a space to form social bonds, discuss personal issues and share experiences. CONCLUSIONS: This model created a social enterprise using the concept of community kitchens linked to schools and allowed women to significantly contribute to household expenditure and improve their food security.

Author Keywords

Food security Community kitchens Refugees Decision making social enterprise

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85075776573&doi=10.1186%2fs12889-019-7950-3&partnerID=40&md5=49f4a8d29e01b1f772d7cb2af6a19ccc
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7950-3
ISSN: 14712458
Original Language: English