Analysis of Socioeconomic Responses to Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Diets of Urban Slum Dwellers in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak and the measures put in place to control it have had a widespread impact on various groups worldwide. The pandemic caused major health risks and posed serious global, social and economic challenges. With its documented devastating impacts on food systems and livelihoods, especially among poor populations — like those living in urban slums, mitigating these impacts became central as the world fought the virus. This study investigated how slum dwellers in Nairobi responded to the pandemic's effects on their diets. Specifically, the study sought to examine the consumption patterns of the slum dwellers during the pandemic using Food Consumption Scores (FCS), assess the response strategies used to reduce the effects of the pandemic on their diets and provide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of the responses in improving their diet intake and quality. A multi-stage sampling approach was used to select participants. In the first stage, Mathare and Kibera slums were chosen purposively. Then, six villages were randomly selected within each slum. Finally, a systematic approach was used within each village, surveying every 10th household. Data was collected using pretested survey questionnaires from 437 households in four survey rounds during the pandemic: April 2020, August 2020, April 2021, and April 2022. Mixed-methods analysis was employed in the data analysis. The study revealed how vulnerable the diets of slum dwellers were to COVID-19 disruptions. Only 38% of residents consistently maintained an adequate diet, while the remaining two-thirds fluctuated between sufficient and insufficient diets. The study identified several strategies slum dwellers used to manage the pandemic's effects on their diets. These included adjusting their consumption habits — like consuming less preferred foods, which benefited their nutrition; managing household finances, and adapting their family structure — though sending family members away had negative consequences. They also relied on social networks and, in some cases, on their food production. Additionally, self-employment/business and higher incomes enhanced improved diets among slum dwellers. The results suggest that household-initiated responses against the pandemic, together with targeted livelihood stabilizing strategies among urban slum dwellers, are critical in building resilience to shocks and the ability to adequately address dietary needs among vulnerable households.