ArticlePloS one2023
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on diet quality and food prices in sub-Saharan Africa.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed.
- Food purchase patterns in Nairobi before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Obesity in Tanzanian Youth (15-35 Years): From Nutrition Transition to Policy Action-A Scoping Review.Nutrients · 2025Article
- Factors associated with anemia among pregnant and lactating women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the targeted municipalities of five selected provinces in Nepal: a cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Household cooking and eating practices across food system typologies in 135 countries from 2018 to 2022.Health promotion international · 2025Article
- Gestational diabetes and changes in dietary quality and food group consumption before and during pregnancy: a pilot cross-sectional study in Malawian women attending antenatal clinics.Journal of nutritional science · 2025Article
- Challenges and strategies for maintaining nutrition services in the Democratic Republic of Congo during COVID-19: a qualitative study.Frontiers in health services · 2025Article
- Impact of COVID-19 on food security and diet quality in Chilanga District, Zambia.Journal of health, population, and nutrition · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
25 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundSub-Saharan Africa faces prolonged COVID-19 related impacts on economic activity, livelihoods and nutrition, with recovery slowed down by lagging vaccination progress.
objectiveThis study investigated the economic impacts of COVID-19 on food prices, consumption and dietary quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
methodsWe conducted a repeated cross-sectional study using a mobile platform to collect data from July-December, 2021 (round 2). We assessed participants' dietary intake of 20 food groups over the previous seven days and computed the primary outcome, the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS), and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), with higher scores indicating better quality diets. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) linear regression models to assess factors associated with diet quality during COVID-19.
resultsMost of the respondents were male and the mean age was 42.4 (±12.5) years. Mean PDQS (±SD) was low at 19.4(±3.8), out of a maximum score of 40 in this study. Respondents (80%) reported higher than expected prices for all food groups. Secondary education or higher (estimate: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.32, 1.15), medium wealth status (estimate: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.81), and older age were associated with higher PDQS. Farmers and casual laborers (estimate: -0.60, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.09), lower crop production (estimate: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.28, -0.46) and not engaged in farming (estimate: -1.38, 95% CI: -1.74, -1.02) were associated with lower PDQS.
conclusionHigher food prices and lower diet quality persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic and social vulnerability and reliance on markets (and lower agriculture production) were negatively associated with diet quality. Although recovery was evident, consumption of healthy diets remained low. Systematic efforts to address the underlying causes of poor diet quality through transforming food system value chains, and mitigation measures, including social protection programs and national policies are critical.
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