Household food insecurity in black-slaves descendant communities in Brazil: has the legacy of slavery truly ended?

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the factors associated with food insecurity among Quilombolas communities in Brazil.DesignAn analysis of secondary data assessed in the 2011 Quilombolas Census was performed. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Measurement Scale (Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar, EBIA) was used to assess household food security status. Sociodemographic conditions and access to social programmes and benefits were also evaluated.SettingNational survey census from recognized Quilombolas Brazilian territories.SubjectsQuilombolas households (n 8846).ResultsAbout half (47·8 %) of the Quilombolas lived in severely food-insecure households, with the North and Northeast regions facing the most critical situation. Households located in North Brazil, whose head of the family had less than 4 years of education, with a monthly per capita income below $US 44, without adequate sanitation and without adequate water supply had the greatest chance of experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity. Households that had access to a water supply programme for dry regions (Programa Cisternas) and an agricultural harvest subsidy programme (Programa Garantia Safra) had less chance of experiencing moderate and severe food insecurity. Households that did not have access to health care (Programa Saúde da Família) had greater chance of suffering from moderate or severe food insecurity.ConclusionsInterventions are urgently needed to strengthen and promote public policies aimed to improve living conditions and food security in Quilombolas communities.