Food insecurity and the use of coping strategies on multimorbidity, anxiety and depression in South African adults: A nationally representative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the associations between food insecurity, coping strategies, socio-economic status and anxiety, depression and multimorbidity in South Africa.

Methods

Data from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey conducted in April 2024 (n = 3171; weighted to 20,955,234 adults aged > 18 years) were used. Food insecurity was measured using the Community Childhood Hunger Identification Project (CCHIP) tool, a validated household-level measure commonly used in South Africa. Coping strategy, anxiety and depression were measured using the coping strategies index, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Multimorbidity was self-reported as ≥2 of 14 known chronic conditions. Multivariable logistic regression was used

SUBMITTER: Gafari O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12788673 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature