Different Food Coping Strategies in Urban and Semi-urban Areas During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Consumption-related behavior implemented as an effort to maintain household food security is referred to as a food coping strategy (FCS). This study aims to describe the selection of FCS by families in urban and semi-urban areas in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research is a cross-sectional study with a total sample of 517 people who live in urban (Jakarta) and semi-urban (Depok) areas. The research data was taken from primary research data that had been collected online and purposively through Posyandu cadres who had access to family/community in October-December 2020. Data analysis used the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. Results of multivariate analysis showed that the level of household food security (AOR = 12.182; 95% CI = 7.636 – 19.434) and spouse's education (AOR = 2.184; 95% CI = 1.091 – 4.375) were significantly related to the application of household FCS. Food insecured household had 12 times higher risk of implementing FCS than food secured household. Spouse with low education had 2 times higher risk of implementing FCS. Household food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic caused households to implementing several types of FCS. Special attention is needed for food insecured households as not to apply extreme coping strategies, such as not eating at all.