Less money less food: Voices from women in urban poor families in Thailand

Abstract

Food insecurity is a public health problem. Information on how cultures perceive the experience of a financial crisis and resultant food insecurity is limited. Our purpose in this study was to understand how poor families residing in urban slums in Thailand perceive their food situation. Interviews were conducted with 30 women aged 20-65 years who were household food providers. Content analysis revealed three themes: experiencing changes, being vulnerable to not having enough food, and getting support. Policy changes to address access to social and health services and development of additional welfare programs must be made to achieve food security.