Adapting the Coping Strategies Index to measure food insecurity in the rural district of iLembe, South Africa

Food insecurity is a global phenomenon that has seen an increase since 2015, thought to be a result of growing conflict- and climate-related shocks. While there are a number of different tools to measure household food security, there is no agreed global standard. This situation is reflected in South Africa where there is no nationally accepted tool to measure or evaluate food insecurity, even though quantitative food and nutrition variables are collected through household surveys. The Coping Strategies Index (CSI) is one tool that uses behaviors to measure food insecurity. The aim of this study is to adapt the CSI for implementation in the district of iLembe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Focus-group discussions were employed with community members to discuss and rank twelve different coping strategies. The two coping strategies implemented earliest with the lowest severity scores were buying less preferred foods and purchasing food on credit. The coping strategies with highest severity score included going an entire day without eating, consuming seed stock, sending a child to eat elsewhere, and restricting food for working household members. Participants highlighted the need for improved water access and local seed programs to improve food security within their community and households.