High Occurrence of Food Insecurity among Urban Afghan Refugees in Pakdasht, Iran 2008: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate food security and its association with anthropometric measures among Afghan refugees living in Pakdasht, one of the main harbors of Afghan refugees in the neighborhood of Tehran. A total of 414 registered Afghan refugee households were recruited in a cross-sectional study. About 88% of households were food insecure. Unemployment and socioeconomic status were the major determinants of food insecurity among the refugee households. While about 58% of women were overweight/obese, the prevalence of underweight and wasting were remarkable in children (11.0% and 12.7%, respectively), indicating a recent malnutrition. Government and organizations working for refugees must focus their activities on empowering Afghan refugees.

KEYWORDS:

• anthropometry
• food insecurity
• nutrition
• refugees

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. The authors also wish to thank the UNHCR for their financial and technical support, and appreciate the cooperation and help of BAFIA, which was essential to conducting this research.