jessica wu, s. checkley , r. silva*, t. westers , c. ribble , t. fung, s. daniel, & c....
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Measuring food security across cultures: a validation study in shrimp farming households in Sri Lanka. Jessica Wu, S. Checkley , R. Silva*, T. Westers , C. Ribble , T. Fung, S. Daniel, & C. Stephen University of Calgary * Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. Outline. Background information - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Measuring food security across cultures: a
validation study in shrimp farming households in Sri
LankaJessica Wu, S. Checkley, R. Silva*, T. Westers, C. Ribble, T. Fung,
S. Daniel, & C. StephenUniversity of Calgary
*Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
OutlineBackground information
Project Sri Lanka Food security
ObjectivesMethodsResultsChallengesConclusions
Shrimp ponds
Traveling to shrimp farms
Why Sri Lanka?
Why Sri Lanka?Multi-project collaboration over the past 10
yearsConcerns identified by the Government of Sri
LankaVeterinary surveillanceWildlifeAquaculture development for food security
and poverty alleviation
Partners with Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Defseminar.lk
BackgroundAquaculture in Sri Lanka is
considered an important livelihood that supports income diversification
Why shrimp farming?Opening of the Eastern and
Northern Provinces Is there a possibility of income
generation for people who have re-settled after the war?
Objectives What is the food security status of shrimp
farming households?How should we measure food security?
Shrimp in a feeding tray
Selling shrimp in the local market
What is food security?Food security is defined as
“a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (World Food Summit, 1996)
A typical Sri Lankan meal
Pillars of Food Security
(FAO 2008 An Introduction to the Basic Concepts of Food Security)
Methods Cross-sectional study of 225 shrimp farming households in
Sri Lanka Structured surveys included the Household Food
Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) (Coates et al. 2007)
9 yes/no questions followed by timeframe question if answered affirmatively
Forward translation into Sinhala and Tamil Back translation into English followed by revisions if
required
Local seafood market
MethodsValidation of the HFIAS
Cultural acceptability through expert panel consultationFood security experts from both countriesAcademic experts familiar with the target populationGovernment worker familiar with target population
FeasibilityPilot study
Construct validity Factor analysis of dichotomous outcomes
Internal reliabilityCronbach’s alpha
Accuracy in relating to other food security measures (correlation to socioeconomic status)
Results The HFIAS showed high cultural
acceptability Has been used in unpublished studies in
Sri Lanka Feasibility indicated no logistic or
comprehension challenges Factor analysis
One factor extracted with factor loadings 0.94 or greater
Cronbach's alpha was high (0.934) Association between food insecurity
scores and socioeconomic status was significant (p = 0.032)
ResultsThe majority of shrimp farming households in Sri
Lanka are food secure
Typical market place
Food Security Status of Shrimp Farming Households
88%
6%
2%4%Food secureMild food insecurityModerate food insecuritySeverely food in-secure
*National average in Sri Lanka in 2009 (not incl NP and EP): 80% of households food secure (using expenditure data)
ChallengesTranslation
Two languages = twice the number of translators
Not all translators can type in Sinhala and Tamil
Part of a larger surveyOnly one construct
derived from factor analysisSmall sample size
ConclusionsThe HFIAS, adapted to the Sri Lankan context, is
promising as a valid measure of the access pillar of food security in this country
The majority of shrimp farming households are food secure
First documented use of the HFIAS in the aquaculture sector in Sri Lanka and can be a useful tool for future food security assessments in this country
AcknowledgmentsParticipating shrimp farmers in Sri LankaFunding from the International Development Research Centre
(IDRC) and the Government of Canada, provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Supervisor Dr. Sylvia CheckleyFellow graduate student Dr. Trisha WestersCommittee members:
Dr. Carl Ribble, Dr. David Hall, Dr. Craig StephenSri Lankan partners:
Dr. Sam Daniel Dr. Renuka Silva
Translators
Trisha and Sam
Questions?
Feline food security???