• Login
    View Item 
    •   NRU
    • Journal Publications
    • Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
    • Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
    • View Item
    •   NRU
    • Journal Publications
    • Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
    • Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The Relationship between Cultural Norms and Food Security in the Karamoja Sub-Region of Uganda

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    The Relationship between Cultural Norms and Food Security in the Karamoja Sub-Region of Uganda (404.8Kb)
    Date
    2017
    Author
    Olum, Solomon
    Okello-Uma, Ipolto
    Tumuhimbise, Gaston A.
    Taylor, David
    Ongeng, Duncan
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Culture is a strong determinant of food security through its influence on what society considers acceptable for consumption. Karamoja sub-region is one of the most ethnically diverse parts of eastern Africa, and is associated with the highest levels of food insecurity in Uganda. However, there is a general lack of understanding on the extent to which ethnicity is a contributing factor to food insecurity. We examined the relationship between ethnicity and food security in relation to commonly practiced cultural norms among the Jie, Karamojong and Tepeth ethnic groups of Karamoja. Data from 273 randomly selected households across a range of cultural settings were obtained using structured questionnaires in the September-October (2015) period. Food security status was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), daily calorie intake and coping strategy index. The study also used focus group discussions to assess the implications for food security of common cultural practices. Results confirm the general observation that the sub-region is food insecure. There were also significant variations in food security across geographical location and ethnicity. Cultural restrictions, applied particularly to women and children, over the consumption of several nutritious foods from livestock were revealed. Consumption of raw milk and animal blood, potential sources of food-borne infections and thus of malnutrition, was found to be high in the sub-region and varied significantly across ethnicity. The findings provide a basis for interventions aimed at reducing food insecurity and averting cultural impediments to a more nutritious diet.
    URI
    https://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/4588
    Collections
    • Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences [1417]

    Research Dissemination Platform copyright © since 2021  UNCST
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Partners
     

     

    Browse

    All of NRU
    Communities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    This Collection
    By Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Research Dissemination Platform copyright © since 2021  UNCST
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Partners