High prevalence of food insecurity and factors associated with Haitian immigrants in Southern Chile
Date
2019-12Author
Maury‑Sintjago, Eduard
Rodríguez‑Fernández, Alejandra
García, Danny E.
Parra‑Flores, Julio
Publisher
Journal of Immigrant & Minority HealthDescription
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The objective was to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and food insecurity (FI) in Haitian
immigrants in southern Chile. An analytical cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of Haitian immigrants
residing in Southern Chile, who were recruited from community centers and completed a sociodemographic questionnaire
and the Latin-American and Caribbean Food Security Scale. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors
associated with FI. FI prevalence in the 234 participants was 78%; 60% had severe FI. Having children (OR 3.6; 95% CI
1.6–7.4), limited Spanish profciency (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.8–7.3), no access to basic services (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.2–6.4), and
not being a legal permanent resident (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1–6.1) were associated with signifcantly higher odds of FI. Over
three-quarters of Haitian immigrants in southern Chile sufer from FI. Tailored intervention strategies are needed to address
this major public-health issue, with a special focus on those at highest risk, including families with children, and those with
limited Spanish profciency, no access to basic services, and without legal permanent resident status.