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Understanding the Link between Household Food Insecurity and Self-Rated Oral Health in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Amoak

    (Department of Geography and Environment, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Joseph Asumah Braimah

    (Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, ON M1C 1A4, Canada)

  • Williams Agyemang-Duah

    (Department of Geography and Planning, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada)

  • Nancy Osei Kye

    (Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B8, Canada)

  • Florence Wullo Anfaara

    (Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B8, Canada)

  • Yujiro Sano

    (Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON P1B 8L7, Canada)

  • Roger Antabe

    (Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, ON M1C 1A4, Canada)

Abstract

There is increasing scholarly attention on the role of food insecurity on the health of older adults in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. Yet, we know very little about the association between food insecurity and self-rated oral health. To address this void in the literature, this study uses a representative survey of adults aged 60 or older from three regions in Ghana to examine whether respondents who experienced household food insecurity rated their oral health as poor compared to their counterparts who did not. We found that 34% of respondents rated their oral health as poor, while 7%, 21%, and 36% experienced mild, moderate, and severe food insecurity, respectively. Moreover, the results from the logistic regression analysis showed that older adults who experienced mild (OR = 1.66, p < 0.05), moderate (OR = 2.06, p < 0.01), and severe (OR = 2.71, p < 0.01) food insecurity were more likely to self-rate their oral health as poor, compared to those who did not experience any type of food insecurity. Based on these findings, we discuss several implications for policymakers and directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Amoak & Joseph Asumah Braimah & Williams Agyemang-Duah & Nancy Osei Kye & Florence Wullo Anfaara & Yujiro Sano & Roger Antabe, 2022. "Understanding the Link between Household Food Insecurity and Self-Rated Oral Health in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:121-:d:1011022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303835_7 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Raphael, C., 2017. "Oral health and aging," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107, pages 44-45.
    3. Chi, D.L. & Tucker-Seeley, R., 2013. "Gender-stratified models to examine the relationship between financial hardship and self-reported oral health for older US men and women," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(8), pages 1507-1515.
    4. Atuoye, Kilian Nasung & Luginaah, Isaac, 2017. "Food as a social determinant of mental health among household heads in the Upper West Region of Ghana," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 170-180.
    5. Razak M Gyasi & Bernard Obeng & Joseph Y Yeboah, 2020. "Impact of food insecurity with hunger on mental distress among community-dwelling older adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-11, March.
    6. Joseph Asumah Braimah & Mark W. Rosenberg, 2021. "“They Do Not Care about Us Anymore”: Understanding the Situation of Older People in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-15, February.
    7. Roger Antabe & Kilian Nasung Atuoye & Yujiro Sano & Vincent Zubedaar Kuuire & Sylvester Zachariah Galaa & Isaac Luginaah, 2019. "Health insurance enrolment in the Upper West Region of Ghana: Does food security matter?," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 1621-1632, October.
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