Document
Metadata
Authors
Yahye Hassan Muse, Abdisalam Hassan Muse, Mohamed Abdi Abdulahi, Mukhtar Abdi Hassan, Saralees Nadarajah
Title
Beyond Climate: Socio-Economic Determinants Dominating Household Food Insecurity in Somaliland
Journal
Earth Systems and Environment
Year of Publication
2026
Abstract
Food insecurity remains a major public health and socio-economic issue in many low-resource settings, including Somaliland. Despite national and international efforts, household-level determinants of food insecurity are not well understood, particularly in regional contexts. This study aimed to identify both individual- and community-level predictors of household food security in MaroodiJeex Region using a multilevel modeling approach. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2025 among 411 households in Hargeisa, Somaliland. A two-stage sampling technique was employed, and data were collected using the standardized Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) questionnaire developed by FAO. The outcome variable was food security status, categorized as secure or insecure. Explanatory variables included socio-demographic, economic, and environmental factors. Multilevel logistic regression analysis (Models 0 to III) was performed using STATA v17, and model fit was assessed using AIC, BIC, and ICC. The prevalence of food insecurity was high, Household food insecurity affected 51.4% of surveyed households in MaroodiJeex Region. In the multilevel regression models, key individual-level factors included gender, employment status, and education. Female respondents had higher odds of living in food-insecure households (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.04–1.82) compared to males. Unemployment was associated with increased insecurity (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.16–2.17), while higher education (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.05–3.09) was significantly associated with improved food security. Food insecurity in MaroodiJeex remains a critical issue influenced by both household-level and community-level variables. Interventions targeting employment, education, and community food systems should be prioritized. © King Abdulaziz University and Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
DOI
10.1007/s41748-026-01274-5
Category
Business, Economics, and Statistics