Changes in household food security, access to health services, and income in northern Lao PDR during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Head Jennifer R. , Chanthavilay Phetsavanh , Catton Helen , Vongsitthi Ammaline , Khamphouxay Kelley , Simphaly Niphone 
Published: July 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to exacerbate food insecurity in low- and middle-income countries, through loss of income and disrupted food supply chains. Lao PDR has among the highest rates of malnutrition in Southeast Asia. We assessed the relative difficulty in meeting food needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural districts of Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR compared to before; determined associations between pandemic-associated difficulties in food access and household, maternal and child food security; and identified resiliency-promoting strategies.

Methods

In November 2020, households (N = 1,122) with children under five years were interviewed. Respondents reported the relative ease of access of food and health care as well as changes in income and expenditures compared to before March 2020. We used generalized linear models with cluster robust standard errors to assess univariate and multivariate associations.

Results

Nearly four-fifths (78.5%) found it harder to meet household food needs during the pandemic. The most common reasons were increased food prices (51.2%), loss of income (45.3%), and decreased food availability (36.6%). Adjusting for demographics, households with increased difficulty meeting food needs had lower food consumption scores and child dietary diversity. Over 85% of households lost income during the pandemic. Decreased expenditures was associated with reliance on more extreme coping strategies to meet food needs. The households who experienced no change in meeting food needs produced a greater percentage of their food from homegrown methods (4.22% more, 95% CI: 1.28, 7.15), than households who found it more difficult. We estimated that decreases in child bodyweight by 0.5 – 1% would increase wasting in this population by 1.7 – 2.1 percentage points.

Conclusions

Pandemic-associated shocks may have large effects on malnutrition prevalence. Action is needed to mitigate consequences of the pandemic on nutrition. Local food production and safety net programs that offset income losses may help.

Summary Box

What is already known?

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted food supply chains and livelihoods, causing concerns that a global nutrition crisis is imminent and prompting leaders from United Nations agencies to issue an immediate call to action to direct funds towards prevention of child malnutrition. While documented COVID-19 transmission in Lao PDR was lower than that of surrounding counties, malnutrition rates are high, particularly in the northern province of Luang Prabang, which is heavily reliant on tourism for livelihoods.

What are the new findings?

Nearly four-fifths of those interviewed in Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR reported that it was harder to meet their household’s food needs, compared to before the pandemic, with 51% attributing the reason to increased food prices. Over 85% of households reported losing income. Lower expenditures and increased difficulty obtaining food were both associated with lower household food consumption scores and higher household coping strategies, in adjusted analyses. Households who obtained a greater proportion of their foods through home production appeared more resilient than households who obtained a greater proportion of their foods through purchasing.

What do the new findings imply?

The pandemic may deeply exacerbate food insecurity in Lao PDR, potentially leading to increases in child wasting. Increased local food production and establishment of safety net programs that offset income losses may be two strategies that address this problem among this population.