An Overview of Food Security Statuses in Afghan Refugees in Iran

Refugees are often further susceptible to food insecurity in host countries. This study was carried out to review food insecurity statuses of Afghan refugees in Iran.

A comprehensive search was carried out using keywords of "food insecurity", "food security", "Iran", "Afghan", “immigrant” and "refugee" in English databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as Persian databases, including Scientific Information Database, Noor, Magiran and Irandoc, from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2019. Prevalence of food insecurity reported in each study was recorded based on the types of questionnaires and food insecurity criteria. Meta-analysis was carried out using random effect model with publication bias and heterogeneity tests using STATA Software.

Overall, four studies were reviewed; of which, one was carried out in two provinces of Tehran and Mashhad. Household food insecurity access scale, United States Department of Agriculture and Radimer/Cornell questionnaires were used as the measurement tools in 2, 1 and 1 studies, respectively. Prevalence of mild, moderate and severe food insecurities was reported as 11.6–16.1, 27.4–46.5 and 20–61%, respectively. Based on meta-analysis, prevalence of food insecurity in Afghan refugees in Iran was 89% (95% CI: 69–110%). Food insecurity was significantly more prevalent in Afghan immigrants with illegal residential statuses and female-headed and bigger family size households. Being Sunnis, living in various cities (Tehran and Mashhad) and duration of staying in Iran were associated with food insecurity in Afghan refugees.

The high prevalence of food insecurity in Afghan refugees in Iran reveals the necessity of policies to limit the prevalence of food insecurity in these refugees in Iran.