Impact of Coping Strategies on Household Food Insecurity in Conflict Situation in Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: Coping strategies are households’ survival tools in crisis situations, but a dearth of studies showed its impact on hunger/food insecurity. This study assessed impact of coping strategies on household food insecurity in conflict situation. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted among households living in communities where conflict occurred from 2022-2024, within Enugu state, southeast Nigeria. Through multi-stage sampling, 300 households were selected. Data were collected using structured standardized questionnaires. SPSS software (23.0) was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare proportions. Results were presented as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Results: The majority (72.3%) of the households’ heads were farmers. Mean household income per month was $31.11. Mean amount allocated to food daily was $2.69. Overall, 40.7%, 31.3% and 15.3% had severe, moderate and mild food insecurity experience. About 54.4%, 24.3% and 21.3% had little/no hunger, moderate and severe hunger. Coping strategies adopted by households to offset hunger include menial jobs (67.6%), farming at a particular time/location (70.6%), reduction of meal portion of household members (58.0%), and reduction of number of meals per day (58.3%). Most of the coping strategies made no impacts in alleviating hunger and food insecurity. However, significant associations were found between hunger and the variables at (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Households in conflict affected communities in Enugu state were food insecure, while poverty, a major effect of conflict, played a key role. Government’s collaboration with relevant agencies to build capacity for food security and nutrition in the conflict-affected communities is vital.