Socio-Economic impact of food Security in the Student residential Area of Bonamoussadi, yaounde

1
CERTIFICATION
I, TABE SHADRACK Ayuk, hereby declare that this piece of work entitled “Socio-Economic
Environment and Food Security in the Student Residential Area of Bonamoussadi” that I am
presenting is not a copy of any work that has been presented before.
STUDENT: TABE SHADRACK Ayuk
Signature:
Date:
SUPERVISOR: Professor AMIN E. Martin
Signature:
Date:
PRESIDENT: Mr. NTENGONG Cletus
Signature:
Date:
EXAMINER: Mr. CHAFFI Cyrille Ivan
Signature:
Date:

2
DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to my late father Chief Ayuk Flicson TABE.

3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study was a very long and arduous process which could not have been achieved easily
without the help of many people. I am most thankful to God Almighty for the manifestation of His
Will throughout this work.
I am grateful to Prof. Amin Martin E. for putting much of his time in the supervision of this
work. Many thanks also go to all my teachers: Prof. FONKENG George, Mr. NTENGONG Cletus,
Mr. CHAFFI Cyrille Ivan, Mr. EFUET Simon Akem, Mr. ETAMANYOR Edward Eta, Mr. ESIBE
Franklin, and the entire staff of CITEC who instilled in me the concepts, theories, and
methodologies on how to handle the dimensions of social phenomenon using management
perception not leaving out the Administrative Board for the conducive environment for learning.
My profound gratitude goes to my course mates of the 7th
Batch of Project Planning and
Management for manifesting some aspects of altruism and leadership qualities during the program.
My special gratitude to my class Board (Mr. Adig Emmanuel Adig, Mrs Ekfuingei Constance and
an auxiliary member Mr. Acha Kirsten) and Angel Wings group for accepting my vision as a
“delegue”. My unforgettable thanks also go to friends, relations, the entire students of CITEC, Mrs.
Endeley Florence, Ms. Franka Fri Foncham, Ms. Konlim Florence, Mr. Agbor Enow Elvis, Mr.
Wilson Mbock Arrey Etta, Mr. Arrey Etta Arrey Divine, Mr. Monju Calasantius, Mr. Adig
Emmanuel, Ms. Mejang Mirreille, Mrs. Nde Adeline, Mr. Fongang Narcisse Fosso, Mr. Ayuk Iyok,
James Ako-Egbe and other informants for their inexhaustible support however small towards the
realization of my program.
I am equally very grateful to my family members Ms. Enow Grace TABE, Mr. Abunaw
Henry TABE, Mr. Atong TABE Samuel, Mr.TABE Ricky Ayuk, Mrs. TABE Doris Vaitl, Mr. Ayuk
Felicson II TABE, Ms. Anne-Claire Biffe, for their love, financial and consistent encouragement
which gives me the opportunity to meet my vision.

4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTIFICATION……………………………………………………………………………………..i
DEDICATION………………………………………………………………………………………..ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………………………….....iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………….………iv
LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………………………...………………….v
LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………….……………….vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS…………………………………………………...…………………..vii
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………..…………….viii
RESUME………………………………………………………………………………..……………ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1
1.2 Historical Background……………………………………………………………………………2
1.3 Theoretical Background………………………………………….….……………………………3
1.4 Conceptual Background…………………………………………………………………………..4
1.5 Contextual Background……………………………………….…….…………………………….6
1.6 Statement of Problem……………………………………………………………………………..6
1.7 General Objective………………………………………….…………………………………….8
1.8 Research Questions………………………………………………….……………………………8
1.9 Research Hypotheses………………………….…………………………………………………..8

5
1.10 Significance of the study…………………..……………………………………………….8
1.11 Justification of the Study……………………...………………………………………………9
1.12 Scope of Work……………………………………………………………………………….10
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Review of Literature………………………………………….………………………………….11
2.2 Review of Theories……………………………….……………………………………………11
2.3 Review of Concepts………………………………….………………………………………..15
2.4 Conceptual Diagram…………………………………………………………………………….17
2.5 Review of Objective…………………………………………………………………………..18
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Methodology………………………………………………………………………….20
3.2 Research Design……………………………………………………...………………………….20
3.3 Site and Description…………………………………………………..…………………………20
3.4 Population, Sample size and Methodology……………………….……………………………..21
3.5 Data collection Instruments……………………………….……………………………………..22
3.6 Validity and Reliability……………………………………….…………………………………22
3.7 Data analysis Methods…………………………………………….…………………………….23
3.8 research Procedure………………………………………………………………………………23
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation……………………………………….………………24
4.2 Verification of hypothesis…………………………………………………… …………………25

6
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Discussions…………………………………………………………………………….………..37
5.2 Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………..…………40
5.3 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………41
References………………………………………………………………………………………....43
Appendix (es)
Appendix A Activity Plan
Appendix B Resource Plan
Appendix C Research Budget
Appendix D Interview Guide
Appendix E Observation Guide
Appendix F Questionnaire of the Study
Appendix G Map of “Bonamoussadi”
Appendix H Sampling Table

7
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Gender…………………………………………….………..………………………………24
Table 2: Marital status…………………………………….……………..…………………………..24
Table 3: Profession……………………………………………..……………………………………25
Table 4: Education……………………………………………………..……………………………26
Table 5: Religion…………………………………………………………………………………….26
Table 6: Does your social interaction have an impact on your choice of food?.................................27
Table 7: Has your eating habits changed because of social ties?........................................................28
Table 8: What determines your food choice?......................................................................................29
Table 9: Do you always rely from friends or relatives for food?........................................................29
Table 10: Does your financial status always permit you to buy food on credit?................................30
Table 11: Which of the following do you spend on most?.................................................................31
Table 12: How often do you do environmental hygiene and sanitation?............................................32
Table 13: What is your main source of drinking water?.....................................................................32
Table 14: Do you think environmental hygiene and sanitation has an impact on your food
consumption?.......................................................................................................................................33
Table 15: Which of the physical and economic restrictions prevent you to have access to sufficient,
safe and nutritious food?.....................................................................................................................34
Table 16: How many times a day do you eat sufficient, safe and nutritious food?............................35
Table 17: Does eating in the restaurant pose health risk?...................................................................35
Table 18: Will you appreciate the study of food security to be implemented in
“Bonamoussadi”?................................................................................................................................36

8
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Gender……………………………………………………….…………………………….24
Figure 2: Marital status………………………………………………...…………………………….25
Figure 3: Profession………………………………………………………………………………….25
Figure 4: Education…………………………………………………………………….……………26
Figure 5: Religion…………………………………………………………...……………………….27
Figure 6: Does your social interaction have an impact on your choice of food?................................27
Figure 7: Has your eating habits changed because of social ties?......................................................28
Figure 8: What determines your food choice?....................................................................................29
Figure 9: Do you always rely from friends or relatives for food?.......................................................30
Figure 10: Does your financial status always permit you to buy food on credit?...............................30
Figure 11: Which of the following do you spend on most?................................................................31
Figure 12: How often do you do environmental hygiene and sanitation?..........................................32
Figure 13: What is your main source of drinking water?....................................................................33
Figure 14: Do you think environmental hygiene and sanitation has an impact on your food
consumption?.......................................................................................................................................33
Figure 15: Which of the physical and economic restrictions prevent you to have access to sufficient,
safe and nutritious food?.....................................................................................................................34
Figure 16: How many times a day do you eat sufficient, safe and nutritious food?...........................35
Figure 17: Does eating in the restaurant pose health risk?..................................................................36
Figure 18: Will you appreciate the study of food security to be implemented in
“Bonamoussadi”?................................................................................................................................36

9
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
CEMAC: Communetairé Economic et Monetair d’Afrique Centrale
COMINSUD: Community Initiative for Sustainable Development
CRADAT: Centre Regional Africain d’administration du Travail
FAO: Food and Agricultural Organization
INFOSAN: International Food Safety Authorities Network
LIFDC: Low-Income Food Deficit Country
Km²: Kilo Meter Square
MDG: Millennium Development Goal
MS EXCEL: Microsoft Excel
MSP: Microsoft Project
MS WORD: Microsoft Word
OECD: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Sciences
UNDHR: United Nations Declaration on Human Rights
UNO: United Nations Organization
US$: United State Dollar
WHO: World Health Organization

10
ABSTRACT
This study examined not only on how agricultural policies affect food supply and income, but also
on how the heavily affected populations acquires food, how relationship between low socio-
economic status and poor health is influenced by gender, age, culture, environment, social and
community networks, and individual lifestyle factors on food security in “Bonamoussadi. This was
in relation to the consequences that exist between the ideal and the actual practices of food security
in the area under study that leads to constant food poisoning and some times death due to health risk
posed by improper food handling, lack of basic infrastructural facilities such clean water supply,
drainage accessibility, and toilets especially with food consumption from vendors of street food who
play a significant role in shaping the eating habit of “Bonamoussadi” who are the strength and
ambition of Cameroon’s active population facing a serious threat to Cameroon’s vision 2035
program. The study was conducted through an exploratory research design pattern within the
framework of a survey and case study using both the qualitative and quantitative research strategies
to collect data, during the period of October and November, 2010 using data collection techniques
such as questionnaires, interviews, document analysis and observation from a sample size of 200
subjects in the student residential area of “Bonamoussadi”. The data collected was grouped,
categorized, and analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), the data
will then be transferred to Microsoft Word (MS WORD) for interpretation, the work breakdown
plan was used to demonstrate the research time frame using the Gantt chart in Microsoft Project
(MSP) and Microsoft excel (MS Excel) was also used to prepare budget of activities. This study
established that 46% said “yes” as against 10% who said “no”, while 44% said sometimes to social
interaction has an impact on food behavior. From our findings, we accept our research hypothesis.
We therefore recommend that Strategies for sustainable development should involve a much broader
array of policies than agricultural development, since the ecological setting of “Bonamoussadi”
allows people to import food than cultivate food crops in the area.

11
RESUME
Cette étude examine non seulement la façon dont les politiques agricoles affectent
l'approvisionnement alimentaire et les revenus, mais aussi sur la manière dont les populations
démunies acquièrent la nourriture, comment la relation entre le faible statut socio-économique et la
mauvaise santé est influencée par le genre, l'âge, la culture, l’environnement, le social et les réseaux
communautaires, les facteurs de style de vie individuel sur la sécurité alimentaire. L'étude visait à
examiner l'impact socio-économique de la sécurité alimentaire à "Bonamoussadi"(quartier
résidentiel des étudiants). Ceci concernait la relation entre l'écart entre l'idéal et les pratiques
effectives de la sécurité alimentaire dans la zone d'étude, c'est qu'il ya une intoxication alimentaire
constant et d'autres maladies liées à l'alimentation affectant plus de 85% de la population cible en
raison de risques pour la santé posés par les mauvaise manipulations des aliments, le manque
d'infrastructures de base tels l'approvisionnement en eau potable, l'accessibilité de drainage, des
toilettes, en particulier avec la consommation des aliments vendus dans la rue qui jouent un rôle
important en façonnant l'habitude du manger à "Bonamoussadi". Les variations en termes
d'ingrédients, de traitement, les méthodes de commercialisation et la consommation sont souvent le
reflet d'une difficulté croissante à fournir des infrastructures adéquates et d'hygiène de
l'environnement pour assurer une production sécurisée des aliments rendant la population cible
vulnérable vis-à-vis de la sécurité alimentaire, ce qui a un impact négatif sur leur participation
active, santé et des fois la mort. L'étude a été réalisée grâce à un modèle de conception de la
recherche exploratoire dans le cadre d'une étude de cas et l'enquête en utilisant les stratégies de
recherche qualitative et quantitative de collecte de données, au cours de la période d’Octobre et de
Novembre 2010, en utilisant des techniques de collecte de données telles que des questionnaires,
interviews, l'analyse de documents et l'observation d'un échantillon de 200 sujets dans le quartier
résidentiel des étudiants de "Bonamoussadi". Les données recueillies ont été regroupées, classées et
analysées avec l’outil de traitement des données "Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), les
données seront ensuite transférées vers Microsoft Word (MS WORD) pour l’analyse, le
commentaire, le plan de répartition du travail sera utilisé pour démontrer la planification du travail à
l’aide du diagramme du GANTT, qui jouxte avec Ms WORD et MS EXCEL entre autres, cela nous
a permis de créer le plan d’activités, de ressource et le budget.. Cette étude a établi que 46% ont dit
«oui» contre 10% qui ont dit «non», tandis que 44% ont parfois dit oui que l'interaction sociale a un
impact sur le comportement alimentaire, 21,3% ont répondu «oui» contre 34% qui ont dit «non» ,

12
tandis que 44% ont répondu «parfois», 88% ont dit «oui», contre 4% qui ont dit «non», tandis que
8% ont dit que l'hygiène du milieu et de l'assainissement "parfois" a un impact sur la consommation
alimentaire. De nos résultats, nous acceptons notre hypothèse de recherche et nous rejetons
l'hypothèse nulle en raison du lien entre l'environnement socio-économique et la Sécurité
alimentaire. De cela certains recommandations ont été formulées à l’encontre du gouvernement :
Les stratégies du développement durable devraient intégrer une plus grande étendue de variété de
produits ainsi que le développement agricole ; puisque la zone écologique de « Bonamousadi »
permet juste d’importer les aliments que de la culture desdits aliments dans la zone.

13
ABSTRACT
This study examined not only on how agricultural policies affect food supply and income, but also
on how the heavily affected populations acquires food, how relationship between low socio-
economic status and poor health is influenced by gender, age, culture, environment, social and
community networks, and individual lifestyle factors on food security. The study sought to examine
the socio-economic impact of food security in the student residential area of “Bonamoussadi”-
Yaounde in Cameroon. This was in relation to the consequences that exist between the ideal and the
actual practices of food security in the area under study that leads to constant food poisoning and
some times death due to health risk posed by improper food handling, lack of basic infrastructural
facilities such as clean water supply, drainage accessibility, and toilets especially consuming from
vendors of street food who play a significant role in shaping the eating habit of “Bonamoussadi”
inhabitants who are the strength and ambition of Cameroon’s active population facing a serious
threat to Cameroon’s vision 2035 program. The study was conducted through an exploratory
research design pattern within the framework of a survey and case study using both qualitative and
quantitative research patterns to collect data, during the period of October and November, 2010
using data collection techniques such as questionnaires, interviews, document analysis and
observation from a sample size of 200 subjects in the student residential area of “Bonamoussadi”.
The data collected was grouped, categorized, and analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS), the data is then be transferred to Microsoft Word (MS WORD) for
interpretation, the work breakdown plan was used to demonstrate the research time frame using the
Gantt chart in Microsoft Project (MSP). This study established that 46% said “yes” as against 10%
who said “no”, while 44% said sometimes to social interaction has an impact on food behavior;
21.3% answered “yes” as against 34% who said “no”, while 44% said “sometimes”; 88% said “yes”
as against 4% who said “no”, while 8% said environmental hygiene and sanitation “sometimes” has
an impact on food consumption. From our findings, we accept our research hypothesis.

14
RESUME
Cette étude examine non seulement la façon dont les politiques agricoles affectent
l'approvisionnement alimentaire et les revenus, mais aussi sur la manière dont les populations
démunies acquièrent la nourriture, comment la relation entre le faible statut socio-économique et la
mauvaise santé est influencée par le genre, l'âge, la culture, l’environnement, le social et les réseaux
communautaires, les facteurs de style de vie individuel sur la sécurité alimentaire. L'étude visait à
examiner l'impact socio-économique de la sécurité alimentaire à "Bonamoussadi"(quartier
résidentiel des étudiants). Ceci concernait la relation entre l'écart entre l'idéal et les pratiques
effectives de la sécurité alimentaire dans la zone d'étude, c'est qu'il ya une intoxication alimentaire
constant et d'autres maladies liées à l'alimentation affectant plus de 85% de la population cible en
raison de risques pour la santé posés par les mauvaise manipulations des aliments, le manque
d'infrastructures de base tels l'approvisionnement en eau potable, l'accessibilité de drainage, des
toilettes, en particulier avec la consommation des aliments vendus dans la rue qui jouent un rôle
important en façonnant l'habitude du manger à "Bonamoussadi". Les variations en termes
d'ingrédients, de traitement, les méthodes de commercialisation et la consommation sont souvent le
reflet d'une difficulté croissante à fournir des infrastructures adéquates et d'hygiène de
l'environnement pour assurer une production sécurisée des aliments rendant la population cible
vulnérable vis-à-vis de la sécurité alimentaire, ce qui a un impact négatif sur leur participation
active, santé et des fois la mort. L'étude a été réalisée grâce à un modèle de conception de la
recherche exploratoire dans le cadre d'une étude de cas et l'enquête en utilisant les stratégies de
recherche qualitative et quantitative de collecte de données, au cours de la période d’Octobre et de
Novembre 2010, en utilisant des techniques de collecte de données telles que des questionnaires,
interviews, l'analyse de documents et l'observation d'un échantillon de 200 sujets dans le quartier
résidentiel des étudiants de "Bonamoussadi". Les données recueillies ont été regroupées, classées et
analysées avec l’outil de traitement des données "Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), les
données seront ensuite transférées vers Microsoft Word (MS WORD) pour l’analyse, le
commentaire, le plan de répartition du travail sera utilisé pour démontrer la planification du travail à
l’aide du diagramme du GANTT, qui jouxte avec Ms WORD et MS EXCEL entre autres, cela nous
a permis de créer le plan d’activités, de ressource et le budget.. Cette étude a établi que 46% ont dit
«oui» contre 10% qui ont dit «non», tandis que 44% ont parfois dit oui que l'interaction sociale a un
impact sur le comportement alimentaire, 21,3% ont répondu «oui» contre 34% qui ont dit «non» ,

15
tandis que 44% ont répondu «parfois», 88% ont dit «oui», contre 4% qui ont dit «non», tandis que
8% ont dit que l'hygiène du milieu et de l'assainissement "parfois" a un impact sur la consommation
alimentaire. De nos résultats, nous acceptons notre hypothèse de recherche et nous rejetons
l'hypothèse nulle en raison du lien entre l'environnement socio-économique et la Sécurité
alimentaire. De cela certains recommandations ont été formulées à l’encontre du gouvernement :
Les stratégies du développement durable devraient intégrer une plus grande étendue de variété de
produits ainsi que le développement agricole ; puisque la zone écologique de « Bonamousadi »
permet juste d’importer les aliments que de la culture desdits aliments dans la zone.

16
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The concept of food security has been a major preoccupation for the international
community over time. As early as 1948, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UNHR)
recognized food as a core element of an adequate standard of living. The definition for food security
was universally adopted during the World Food Summit in Rome-Italy in1996. Cameroon with a
surface area of 475.440 km² and population of 19.4 million inhabitants is blessed with enormous
land, water, forest resources and reserves. The cultural, biological and landscape diversities make it
to pride as Africa in miniature; Cameroon is an unquestionable giant with respect to its population
and potentials and also referred to the bread basket of the Economic Monetary Communities for
Central Africa (CEMAC).
Today, Cameroon seems to be living on its past glories as economic and social conditions
fall short of guaranteeing a decent living for its inhabitants, caught in a web of hunger,
unemployment and underemployment as is grossly manifested by a drop in its growth rate to 2% in
2009 as opposed to 4.2% in 2003 (COMINSUD, 2010), Cameroon is also a low-income food-
insecure country ranked 144th of 177 countries: 40 percent of the population has an income of less
than US$1 a day; 18 percent of children under 5 are underweight. The rate of severe acute
malnutrition ranges from 0.3 percent to 1.9 percent in the northern part of the country. (UNDPHD
Report, 2006).
Food security has long been used as an important macro-level indicator of agricultural
stability and progress for both agricultural and economic researchers. However, little work has been
done to operationalize the concept at the household level. We view household food security as a
concept that integrates socio-economic and environmental factors in a manner that can provide a
useful tool for predicting dietary patterns within the student residential area of “Bonamoussadi”.
These factors affect the manner in which households manage their food resources, either by
affecting initial food selection and acquisition or by affecting the use of food once it has been
selected. Household food security is an outcome of these decisions.

17
This study seeks to further the operationalization of household food security in three ways. First,
a thematic background for household food security is presented, describing the set of relevant
independent, intervening, and dependent variables. Second, a framework for operationalization is
presented, using data collected from households in “Bonamoussadi”. Third, the relevance of
household food security, measured at the micro level, is examined through data analysis,
interpretation that predicts household food security and finally conclusion and recommendation to
the government and stake holders.
1.2 Historical Background
The concept of food security has gone through various transformations over the last several
decades, as has development theory in general. As early as 1948, the Universal Declaration on
Human Rights recognized the right to food as a core element of an adequate standard of living. The
1960s, known as the “development decade” was a time of hope for the Third World which included
the real aspiration of ending hunger. In 1960, the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) launched the International Freedom from Hunger Campaign which mobilized
governments and non-government support. The goal was to end hunger by enabling people to grow
enough to feed themselves, rather than through reliance on food aid. At the time, much emphasis
was placed on national governments to produce enough food to supply the demand in their
countries, hunger would disappear. Policy makers in the 1960s and more so in the 1970s were also
increasingly worried about the “population explosion.” High food prices and a growing population
led policy makers to worry about national food security; their principal concern was running out of
food for the world’s growing population. Resources were directed towards improvements in
agriculture production and the “Green Revolution” did increase absolute output dramatically. In
1974, the UN World Food Conference in Rome recommended the adoption of an International
Undertaking on World Food Security at the World Food Conference. Governments examined the
global problem of food production and consumption, and solemnly proclaimed that "every man,
woman and child has the inalienable right to be free from hunger and malnutrition in order to
develop their physical and mental faculties." Despite the focus on individuals, policy makers were
still mostly concerned with national food security, and failed to take into account access and
distribution within countries. In the 1980s-1990s the paradigm shifted as policy makers began to
explore individual and household food security as opposed to food security from a national

18
perspective. It was gradually accepted that food availability alone does not provide food security.
A combination of factors including groundbreaking publications, a deterioration of living standards
in the Third World, and severe famine in Africa helped ushers in the paradigm change. The 1984-85
famines in Africa also had a profound impact on food security theory and practice, which led to a
“livelihoods perspective.” The famines in Africa revealed people intentionally suffering from
hunger rather than losing their assets. People assess their risk and have to take into account short-
term and long-term survival. This is especially true in populations that are frequently subject to
crisis. It was accepted that food is not always the first priority of people living through a famine, but
one objective out of many. In 1994, the FAO launched the Special Programme for Food Security;
targeting low-income food-deficit countries to increase food production in order reach a goal of
halving the number of hungry in the world by 2015. In 2000, at the United Nations Millennium
Summit, world leaders agreed to a set of time-bound and measurable goals and targets for
combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination
against women. These goals and targets became known as the Millennium Development Goals
(MDG). MDG 1 is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by reducing by half the proportion of
people living on less than a dollar a day, and reducing by half the proportion of people who suffer
from hunger by 2016. The World Food Summit in 2002 reaffirmed the international community's
commitment to reduce hunger by half by 2015.
1.3 Theoretical Background
The theoretical background of this study is guided by the population theory advanced by the
English economist Sir. Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834). In his theory he postulated that
population would increase at a geometric rate and the food supply at the arithmetic rate. This
disharmony will lead to widespread poverty and starvation which would only be checked by natural
occurrences such as disasters, disease, high infant mortality, famine, war or moral restraint. It was
adopted for this study in order to identify the impact of socio-economic and environmental features
on food security in “Bonamoussadi”. Malthusian population theory was eventually dismissed for its
pessimism and failure to take into account technological advancement in agriculture and food
production.
In this regard, the population theory of the Danish agricultural economist Esther Boserup has
been proposed because she offers a hopeful alternative to the Malthusian theory. When, the

19
population is reaching the point when the food supply is reaching exhaustion. Malthus says, the
extra people have to die. Boserup says that you just have to upgrade the productivity of the food
supply. Under pressure of numbers, with more mouths to feed, people put more labor and more
intense effort into feeding themselves, and find ways to get more food production out of the land.
They cultivate the land more intensively; they add extra manure, extra fertilizer, and extra water and
improve their crops. They invent their way out of the Malthusian crisis. Indeed, the Malthusian trap
may even drive the development of technology. As Chairman Mau maintained, each mouth comes
with a pair of hands. Boserup developed her ideas in connection with traditional farming systems in
South East Asia, but her ideas have been applied to global agricultural patterns.
If Boserup is right, then the most advanced agricultural technology should be found in places
which are closest to a Malthusian crisis. High-tech agriculture should therefore only be found in
places with large populations of near-starving people. Unfortunately, the places with the food
shortages tend to have low-tech agriculture, and the high-tech parts of the world tend to have high
living standards and plenty of food.
Probably we don't have to choose between Boserup and Malthus. They can both be right.
Malthus is talking about the potential for a population to face environmental limits. Boserup is
talking about overcoming those limits through culture and technology.
However, the target population in my study involve themselves in the informal sector
supplementing the remittances from relations in order to invent their way out of food crisis and
sustain livelihoods.
1.4 Conceptual Background
The concept of food security has been a major preoccupation for the international community
over time. The definition for food security has been universally adopted during the World Food
Summit in 1996 as thus: “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and
economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food
preferences for an active and healthy life”. Food insecurity exists when this access is jeopardized.
From this definition, some dimensions of food security can be identified:

20
Physical Availability of food: Food availability addresses the “supply side” of food security and is
determined by the level of food production, stock levels and net trade; enough food for an active and
healthy life (World Bank, 1986).
Economic and Physical access to food: An adequate supply of food does not itself guarantee level
of food security or sufficient food. The focus on economic and physical access is whether and how
people acquire food and is rooted in nutritional planning.
Stability of the other dimensions over time: Even if food intake is adequate today still considers
food insecure if there is inadequate access to food on a periodic basis.
Food: means any substance or product, whether processed, partially processed or unprocessed,
intended to be, or reasonably expected to be ingested by humans. "Food" includes drink, chewing
gum and any substance, including water, intentionally incorporated into the food during its
manufacture, preparation or treatment (European Parliament and of the Council, 28 January 2002).
Security indicates protecting against risk of inadequate access and risk of fluctuation of prices.
Transitory food insecurity means a group of people face a temporal decline in food security in
duration caused by insufficient food consumption.
Hunger usually understood as an uncomfortable or painful sensation.
Poverty refers different dimensions of deprivation that relate to human capabilities including
consumption and food security, health, education, rights, voice, security, dignity, and decent work.
Chronic food insecurity implies the target population runs a continual high risk of inability to meet
food needs.
Seasonal food insecurity is of limited duration it can also be seen as recurrent, transitory food
insecurity. It occurs when there is a cyclical pattern of inadequate availability and access to food.
This is associated with seasonal fluctuations in the climate, cropping patterns, food prices, work
opportunities and disease.
Feeding habits according to the Dictionary of Anthropology referred to “food ways”. These food
ways are the ideas and behaviors that affect what people eat.
Socio-economic environment refers to the interrelationship and social behavioural pattern and in
relation to employment and ecology.

21
1.5 Contextual Background
Contextualizing the concept of food security in an area dominated by people from different
backgrounds as lesser professionals involved in the informal service sector such as documentation,
tailoring, hairdressing, provisions stores, and other businesses, street-vended foods is growing leaps
and bounds and has gone through various transformations over the last decades in sustaining
livelihoods. The socio-economic features of the population under study show that the student
population is the greatest parts of inhabitant of “Bonamoussadi”. This is because the area is a multi
socio-economic and cultural environment where student converged to pursue education at different
levels in Yaounde. All categories of people live in this area and involved themselves either
concurrently while schooling or solely in small businesses to sustain livelihoods.
Feeding habit in “Bonamoussadi” operates within an ecological framework characterized by social,
economic, academic, physical, and psychological factors. Social influences on food intake affect the
way one or more persons has on the eating behavior of others, either direct or indirect, either
conscious or unconscious. Even when eating alone, food choice is influenced by social factors
because attitudes and habits develop through their interaction with others. Also, the low socio-
economic and poor health is complicated and is influenced by gender, age, culture, environment,
social and community networks, individual lifestyle factors and health behavior. Low-income group
who find it difficult to achieve a balanced healthy diet, are often referred to as experiencing food
poverty or food insecurity. Moreover, ecology does not provide much influence on food production
because food stuffs are imported from out of the area, this has led to an increase in the need for
food-vending that has shaped the food pattern of the population under study.
1.6 Statement of the Problem
The problem of our study is that both physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious
food to meet dietary needs and food preference to active and healthy life is jeopardized due to
certain factors such as unemployment and underemployment level exacerbated by the high cost of
utilities, health care, poor food habit, and lack of other necessities, among which is increasing
reliance of street vended foods which most times do not meet healthy hygienic conditions explain
the primary contributing factors why the dimensions of food security cannot be met in
“Bonamoussadi” which is characterized by mostly marshy areas popularly known as “elobi”,
household waste most times narrow the course of streams when there is downpour. Coupled to this,

22
the hostels are built in a haphazard manner; this makes the penetration of sunlight that transformed
energy into vitamin D very difficult. Toilets are either located behind or besides another hostel to
make it worse, constant food poisoning and other related food borne diseases is affecting more than
85% of the target population due to health risk posed by improper food handling, lack of basic
infrastructural facilities such clean water supply, drainage accessibility, toilets, especially with
street-vended foods consumption which play a significant role in shaping the eating habit of the
people in “Bonamoussadi” outweigh their benefits. The variations in terms of ingredients,
processing, methods of marketing and consumption often reflect a growing difficulty to provide
adequate infrastructure and environmental hygiene to ensure safe production of food making the
target population vulnerable to food insecurity, consequently leading a negative impact on their
active, healthy and some times death.
1.7 General Objective
To examine the impact of socio-economic environment on food security in
“Bonamoussadi”
1.7.1 Specific Objectives
1. To determine the impact social interaction has on food security in “Bonamoussadi”
2. To examine if income determines access to food supply in “Bonamoussadi”
3. To investigate the hygienic condition of food consumption in “Bonamoussadi”
1.8 Main Question
What is the impact of socio-economic environment on food security in “Bonamoussadi”?
1.8.1 Specific Questions
1. Does social interaction have an impact on food security in “Bonamoussadi”?
2. Does income level determine access to food supply in “Bonamoussadi”?
3. Does environmental hygiene and sanitation affect food consumption in “Bonamoussadi”?

23
1.9 Main Hypotheses
Socio-economic environment has an impact on food security
1.9.1 Hypotheses
1. Social interaction has an impact on food security in “Bonamoussadi”
2. Income determines access to food supply in “Bonamoussadi”
3. Environmental hygiene and sanitation affects food consumption in “Bonamoussadi”
1.10 Significance of the Study
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights recognized the right to food as a core element of
an adequate standard of living. This study does not only bring out the inadequacies in this
fundamental human right among the target population, but also hope that the assessment of food
security in “Bonamoussadi” will be useful in further scholarly research because it seeks to
examining food security in relation to socio-economic environment, the way it is perceived, and
adopting strategies to improve on it. This study is also expected to improve practice because the
target population lives daily on street-vended food since street food sector plays an important role in
providing accessible, low-cost meals for our target population. Vendors are often poorly educated
and untrained in food safety. They often work under unsanitary conditions with little or no
infrastructure support. However research has shown that the majority of food-related illnesses and
death could be controlled, or eliminated, by the use of proper food handling techniques (Haply and
Probart, 2004). Therefore, education and training of street-food vendors may offer the most cost-
effective way to reduce the incidence of food borne disease.
Besides the present predicament, this study will help Cameroon in its Vision 2035 which aimed
at making the country an emergent nation that sets out the frame work for boosting growth to 5.5%,
creating formal sector jobs and cutting the underemployment rate from 39.9% in 2007 to 28.7%
(GESP, 2010).

24
1.11 Justification
The Republic of Cameroon is a low-income food-insecure country with 19.4 million
inhabitants. The United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report for 2006
ranked it 144th of 177 countries: 40 percent of the population has an income of less than US$1 a
day; 18 percent of children under 5 are underweight. The rate of severe acute malnutrition ranges
from 0.3 percent to 1.9 percent in the north. Today, Cameroon seems to be living on its past glories
as economic and social conditions fall short of guaranteeing a decent living for its inhabitants,
caught in a web of hunger, unemployment and underemployment as is grossly manifested by a drop
in its growth rate to 2% in 2009 as opposed to 4.2% in 2003 (COMINSUD, 2010), an obscured and
deteriorating fiscal situation partially resulting a continuous drop in its oil revenue thus forcing the
president of the republic to down size its 20011 national budget by 50 billion francs cfa (Budgetary
session, 2010).
Meanwhile street food sector plays a very important role in providing accessible, low-cost
meals for urban poor populations of “Bonamoussadi”, a quarter in Ngoa-Ekelle III sub-division with
estimated population of 17096 inhabitants with a population density scale to 18 hectares in the
Yaoundé 3 division. Contamination of street food by chemical and microbiological pathogens,
atmospheric nuisance and other factors is believed to be a significant contributor to food borne
diseases. Poor environmental sanitation, inadequate infrastructure and improper food handling are
also the main health risk factors associated with street foods which usually outweighs benefits from
street-food vending.
Food security has gone through various transformations over the last several decades, as has
development theory in general. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights recognized the right to
food as a core element of an adequate standard of living. This study can best be described as
“exploratory research” because it seeks to investigate food security situation that has been
exacerbated with high cost of utilities and health care; and its impact on the student residential area
of “Bonamossadi” who are the strength and ambition of Cameroon’s active population which is
grossly affected by the county’s low growth rate.

25
1.12 Scope of the Study
This study is concern with socio-economic environment and food security and will be conducted in
“Bonamoussadi”, a quarter in Ngoa-Ekelle III sub-division with estimated population of 17096
inhabitants with a population density scale to 18 hectares in the Yaoundé 3 division boarded by
Obili at the North and Melen at the East. The time frame of the study is between October and
November 2010 through a cross sectional sample survey of assessing student’s socio-economic and
environmental influences on food security. Data will be collected using questionnaires, interviews,
Focus Group Discussions, and document analysis techniques. Stakeholders involved in the study
include local street vendors, World Food Programme, the National Food Security Programme at the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Food and Agricultural Organization and some
interested parties in the field. The first part of this study is to mobilize the community and collect
data and in the second part seek to do analysis, interpretation of analysis and make recommendation
to stakeholders.

26
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
Although a large amount of literature exists on food security assessment of households, very little
attention has been paid on food security assessment, but none has been made explicitly to examine
the “socio-economic environment and food security in the student residential area of
“Bonamoussadi”,Yaounde-Cameroon”. The universal Declaration on Human rights recognized the
right to food as a core element of an adequate standard of living Article 25 (UN 1948). Since then,
World leaders agreed to a set of time-bound and measurable goals and targets for combating
poverty, hunger, illiteracy, environmental degradation… These goals and targets became what is
known as the Millennium Development Goals. MDG 1 is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
by reducing by half the proportion of people living on less than one dollar a day, and reducing by
half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2016. Later the World Food Summit in
1996 conventionally conceptualized and defined food security as: “food security exist when, all
people at all times, have physical and economical access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to
meet their dietary needs, and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” Today, for food
security objectives to be realized, three main pillars of food availability, food access, and food
stability must be properly analyzed. “…The priorities which we set - revival of growth, improvement
of the standard of living…” (President Paul Biya’s speech on the eve new year, 2009).
2.2 Review of Theories
Review of theories for this study was framed by theorists such as Esther Boserup (Boserup’s
theory), Adam Smith, and David Ricardo (Subsistence theory) and Abraham Maslow (Maslow
Hierarchy of needs). These theories are used to examine socio-economic environment and food
security in “Bonamoussadi”.
The review of this work has been modeled by the population theory of the Danish agricultural
economist Esther Boserup has been adopted because she offers a hopeful alternative to the
Malthusian theory. When, the population is reaching the point when the food supply is reaching
exhaustion. Malthus says, the extra people have to die. Boserup says that you just have to upgrade
the productivity of the food supply. Under pressure of numbers, with more mouths to feed, people
put more labor and more intense effort into feeding themselves, and find ways to get more food

27
production out of the land. They cultivate the land more intensively; they add extra manure, extra
fertilizer, and extra water and improve their crops. They invent their way out of the Malthusian
crisis. Indeed, the Malthusian trap may even drive the development of technology. As Chairman
Mau maintained, each mouth comes with a pair of hands. Boserup developed her ideas in connection
with traditional farming systems in South East Asia, but her ideas have been applied to global
agricultural patterns.
If Boserup is right, then the most advanced agricultural technology should be found in places which
are closest to a Malthusian crisis. High-tech agriculture should therefore only be found in places
with large populations of near-starving people. Unfortunately, the places with the food shortages
tend to have low-tech agriculture, and the high-tech parts of the world tend to have high living
standards and plenty of food.
Probably we don't have to choose between Boserup and Malthus. They can both be right. Malthus is
talking about the potential for a population to face environmental limits. Boserup is talking about
overcoming those limits through culture and technology.
Again, the subsistence theory adumbrated by the Scottish economist Adam smith, and developed
fully by David Ricardo who emphasized that the consumption needed to sustain and maintain the
working population as the chief determinants of wage levels. Ricardo argued that if earnings should
fall below subsistence level, the labour force will not reproduce itself; if earnings should rise above
subsistence level, more working class children than the number needed to replenish the labour force
would survive and wages again would be forced down to subsistence levels by the competition of
labourers for the available jobs. The assumptions of the subsistence theory were invalidated by the
fact of subsequent economic history. In advance countries, the output of food and other consumer
goods increased more rapidly than population during the later 19th and 20th
centuries. The wages
accordingly rose well above subsistence levels.
The subsistence theory was adopted for this study in order to conceptualize the state of food security
to the responsive working population of “Bonamoussadi” as the chief determinants in their
predominant nonfarm informal service sector supplemented by remittances from relations to the
consumption needed to invent their way out of food crisis in order to for sustain livelihoods.

28
Moreover, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory in Psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in
his 1943 Paper A Theory of Human Motivation. In it, he subsequently extended the idea to include
his observations of humans’ innate curiosity. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often portrayed in the
shape of a pyramid, with the largest and lowest levels of needs at the bottom, and the need for self-
actualization at the top.
The lower four layers of the pyramid contain what Maslow called "deficiency needs" or "d-needs":
esteem, friendship and love, security, and physical needs. With the exception of the lowest
(physiological) needs, if these "deficiency needs" are not met, the body gives no physical indication
but the individual feels anxious and tense.
Self-actualization creativityspontaneity,
problem solving,
lack of prejudice
Esteem Self-esteem,
Confidence,achievement,
Respect of others,respect by others
Love/Belonging Friendship,family,sexual intimacy
Security of body, of employment, of resources,
Safety of morality, of the family, of health, of property
Physiological Breathin, food, water, shelter, sex,excretion
(Dina, 2010)
However, whatever theory chosen for this study, we shall confirm as adopted in 1948 by the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognized the right to food as a core element of an
adequate standard of living, also food is supposed to be one of the most basic human needs within a
hierarchy of concerns (Maslow, cited in Handy 1985:30). Within this hierarchy

29
Lower-order needs (physiological and safety) are dominant until satisfied, where upon the higher
order needs to come into operation… if you are starving, your needs for esteem or status will be
unimportant; only food matters. (Handy 1985:30).
Much food security has assumed this logic and the urgency to satisfy food needs which it implies,
such that these needs are met by poor households before and in preference to all others. Hopkins
argued that food security stands as a fundamental need, basic to all human needs and the
organization of social life. Access to necessary nutrients is fundamental not only to life per se, but
also to stable and enduring social order (Hopkins 1986:4).
2.3 Review of Concepts
(World Food Programme2009:23). Analyzes these three main pillars which are:
Food availability
Food availability is the physical presence of food in the area of concern through all forms of
domestic production, commercial imports and food aid. Food availability might be aggregated at the
regional, national, district or community level. In (EFSA 2010), food availability is usually analyzed
at the district and community levels; national and regional food availability may be considered when
developing future scenarios and discussing response options. Food availability is determined by:
• Production is food produced in the area;
• Trade is food brought into the area through market mechanisms;
• Stocks are food held by traders and in government reserves;
• Transfers are food supplied by the government and/or aid agencies.
Food access
Food access concerns a household’s ability to acquire adequate amounts of food, through one or a
combination of own home production and stocks, purchases, barter, gifts, borrowing and food aid.
The following are some examples:
• own production – crops, livestock, etc.;
• Hunting, fishing and gathering of wild foods;
• purchase at markets, shops, etc.;
• Barter – exchange of items for food;

30
• Gifts from friends/relatives, community, government, aid agencies, etc.
Food may be available but not accessible to certain households if they cannot acquire a sufficient
quantity or diversity of food through these mechanisms.
Food utilization
Food utilization refers to households’ use of the food to which they have access, and individuals’
ability to absorb and metabolize the nutrients – the conversion efficiency of the body. Food
utilization includes:
• the ways in which food is stored, processed and prepared, including the water and cooking fuel
used, and hygiene conditions;
• feeding practices, particularly for individuals with special nutrition needs, such as babies, young
children, the elderly, sick people, and pregnant or lactating women;
• the sharing of food within the household, and the extent to which this corresponds to individuals’
nutrition needs - growth, pregnancy, lactation, etc.;
• the health status of each member of the household.
Food may be available and accessible but certain household members may not benefit fully if they
do not receive an adequate share of the food in terms of quantity and diversity, or if their bodies are
unable to absorb food because of poor food preparation or sickness.
Again, in Simon Maxwell & Marisol Smith, focuses on a neutral but important dimension of food
security which is
Security
Security indicates secure access to enough food. This builds on the idea of vulnerability of
entitlement failure focusing more clearly on risk. The notion of risk and risk avoidance is central to
the definition of food security. However, the scope has widened with that of food security itself to
focus on increasingly on individual and household level analysis. The World Food Conference
identified the risk of “ acute food shortages in the event of widespread crop failure, natural or other
disasters,” as well as risk of fluctuations in production or prices (UN 1975:14). By the mid 1980s,
“analysis of risk of inadequate access (had become) an important concern” (World Bank, 1989)
and food insecurity was more often defined in terms of risk: by Phillips and Tailor (1990) and By
Von Braum (1991) as” the risk of an on going lack of access by people to the food they need.”

31
The FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission defines “street-vended foods” or its shorter
equivalent “street foods” as ready-to-eat foods prepared and/or sold by vendors and hawkers
especially in the streets and other public places (CAC-GL 22 rev.1, 1999)
2.4 Conceptual Diagram
This review postulates that socio-economic environment is defined using the variables of nutrition,
livelihood security, and ecological sustainability in “Bonamoussadi” directly affects healthy life,
Socio-economic environment
Independent variable
Social Interaction
 Marriage/Relationship
 Food intake
 Gifts/Aid from relation
Economic Impact
 Market Prices
 Food Prices
 Purchasing Power
 Barter- Exchange of items for
Food
Hygienic Conditions
 Public Health Environment
 Method of Food Preparation
 Adequate infrastructure
 Mode of Selling
 Creating awareness
Causes
Extraneous variable
Food security in “Bonamoussadi”
Dependent variable
Employment
status
Prices of goods
Hygiene and sanitation
Healthy Life
 Food availability
 Sufficient & Safe Food
 Avoid moldy and damaged food
Active Life
 Social & Human Capital
 Fixed Income
 Management of Income
 Economic Environment
Ecological Sustainability
 Good Personal Hygiene
 Food cooked at 70 ̊C and
consume hot
 Basic Infrastructure eg toilets,
safe water
 Education and Training of food
vendors

32
active life, and stability representing food security. However, this relationship may be modified by
employment status, food prices, and hygiene and sanitation of the population under study.
2.5 Reviews by Objectives
Determine the impact social interaction has on food security
The World Food Programme, (2009:23) identified three pillars in which food security is based
among which one of them is physical access to food. From their analysis, access to food concerns a
household’s ability to acquire adequate food, through one or a combination of own home production
and stocks, purchases, barter, gifts,
On the other hand, Food and Agricultural Organization (Page 1) concern itself about sufficient
economic access to food is linked to variables such as employment, incomes, expenditure, food
prices in order to attain food security objectives. But WFP/FAO (2009:6) indicated that majority of
households are characterized by high levels of poverty and food insecurity. Therefore, coping with
vulnerability to food insecurity and maintaining the minimum humanitarian standard, improving
employment and livelihood sustainability will also achieve food security objectives.
Considering the assertion above, social factors is an important determinant of food behavoiur
because social influences on food intake refers to the impact that one or more persons have on the
eating behavior of others because attitudes and habits develop through interaction with others.
To examine if income determines access to food supply
WFP/FAO SEFsec (2009:27) report show that household expenditures are greater than their
income with the exception of food secure and marginally secure people suggesting income gap and
their ability to save for rainy days. Income however is unreliable as an indicator of household
poverty level due to the tendency of people to report and sometimes underreport their level of
income, particularly if they are involved in illegal trade but also if they receive remittances from
relations and social networks.
Food Security Information for Action Practical Guides (P. 7) maintains that majority households
have reduced expenditures on both the quantity and quality of food because of low-income. If this is

33
not addressed properly, the effect will be transitory food insecurity which occurs when there is a
sudden drop in the ability to produce or access enough food to maintain good nutritional status.
To investigate hygienic condition of food consumption
(INFOSAN) information Note No. 3/2010, cited poor environmental sanitation, inadequate
infrastructure and improper food handling as the main risk factors associated with street food. The
FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission defines “street-vended foods” or its shorter
equivalent “street foods” as ready-to-eat foods prepared and/or sold by vendors and hawkers
especially in the streets and other public places (CAC-GL 22 rev.1, 1999). While street foods are an
important source of ready-to-eat nutritious, low-cost meals for the urban poor, the health risk posed
by such foods may outweigh their benefits. Street foods show great variation in terms of ingredients,
processing, methods of marketing and consumption. There is much diversity in the raw materials as
well as in the method of preparation of street foods. In addition, there are differences in the places
where street foods are prepared and can be broadly grouped as follows:
Food prepared in small-scale food factories or traditional workshops; Food prepared in the home;
Food prepared in markets; and Food prepared on the street. These categories reflect a growing
difficulty to provide adequate infrastructure and environmental hygiene to ensure the safe
production of food. However, it should be emphasized that safe food can be prepared on the street if
appropriate food handling measures are observed. For example, food cooked to 70° C and consumed
piping hot poses little or no risk from pathogenic microorganisms, regardless of sanitary conditions
of the environment. If food must be prepared in advance, or if there are leftovers or if food needs to
be transported some distance from one location to another, be sure to store the food either hot (best
above 60° C) or cold (best below 5° C).

34
CHAPTER THREE
3.1 Research Methodology
This chapter presents a detailed description of the research methodology of this work. Methodology
refers to the detailed procedure that will be followed to realize the research objectives. Just like in
any scientific study, the methodology that is employed in this study includes a description of the
research design, population and sampling methodology, instrumentation and their validity as well as
data analysis techniques.
3.2 Research Design
This study will be conducted through an exploratory research design pattern within the framework
of a survey and case study using both the qualitative and quantitative research strategies to collect
data.
3.2.1 A Survey
A Survey research design was carried out, it permitted us to present oriented methodology used to
investigate population by selecting samples to analyze and discover occurrences. It was used to
provide numeric descriptions of some part of the population and to describe and explain events as
they are, as they were or as they will be. The design was selected for this study because we consider
issues such as economy of the design, rapid data collection and ability to understand a population
from a part of it.
3.2.2 Case Study
A case study which is an intensive, descriptive and holistic analysis of a single entity will also be
adopted for the purpose of studying a single entity in depth in order to gain insight into the larger
cases and to describe and explain rather than to predict a phenomenon; this design has been selected
because we will be using smaller samples for in depth analysis.

35
3.3 Site and Description
“Bonamoussadi” is one of the quarters in the Yaoundé 3 sub-division located in Mfoundi Division
of the Centre Region in Cameroon which covers a total are of 68 950 km2 with headquarters in
Yaoundé. “Bonamoussadi”, for the purpose of this study is divided into five geographical zones.
Each of these zones is separated by a network of roads which are not motorable. A main road cut
across this residential area which is mainly used by vehicles to get into the quarters. CRADAT,
“Carrefour condom”, “Parlement” are some of the major business spots. Unlike in some residential
areas in Yaounde where food –vending places are somehow indented, in “Bonamoussadi” they are
situated along the main and major roads of the zones. Like any other quarter in the Ngoa-Ekelle
neighborhoods, in “Bonamoussadi” population increase is alarming coupled with the fact that after
graduation, most students do not see the need to return to their parents homes without a job at hand.
Lyengu (1990:24) presents the city of Yaounde as composed of demarcated quarters according to
ethnic composition. “Bonamoussadi” is an exception since it is mosaic of students and peoples from
different backgrounds.
Anglophones and Francophones from different backgrounds interact and live together in the same
hostels popularly known in the area as “mini cites”.
3.4 Population, Sample size and Sampling methodology
This work is conducted based on two categories of people: a cross section of food vendors and
students in “Bonamoussadi” because of the nature of the population. Food vendors comprise those
who own, prepare and sell food, while students comprises those Francophones and Anglophones
alike who regularly attend school and live in any of the five zones in the area under study.
3.4.1 Sample size
The accessible population for this study consists of food vendors and students in the student
residential area of “Bonamoussadi”, a quarter in Ngoa-Ekelle III sub-division with estimated
population of 17096 inhabitants with a population density scale to 18 hectares in the Yaoundé 3
division. The sample size of 200 subjects has been chosen to represent the target population because
“Bonamoussadi” is composed of a constant influx of people who either go for regular vacation, to

36
work and their maturity and knowledge on this phenomenon will provide us with concrete
information we need to develop the study Amin, M.E (2005:254).
3.4.2 Sampling Methodology
This research work made use of the simple random sampling technique, convenience sample
technique and purposive sampling technique in order to select the sample through questionnaires
and interview. Simple random sampling technique selects a sample without bias from the accessible
population; it enables us to select a representative sample; so that we can ensure each member of the
target population has an equal and independent chance of being included in the sample. Purposive
sample technique permits us to consciously decide who to include in the sample. We are using it in
our work because it helps us to select typical and useful cases only. Convenience sampling method
selects on first come first served basis that is those who happen to be available for the purpose of
this exploratory research study; in order to take advantage of those who happen to be there.
3.5 Data Collection Instruments
In order to gather information for this study, mainly quantitative and qualitative data collection
techniques were employed through research instruments such as questionnaires, interviews,
observations, a map, survey statistics, and document analysis as the main tools for collecting data.
The selection of these tools have been guided by the nature of data to be collected, the time available
as well as by the objectives of the study. Careful planning through the use of well designed guides
has been made for each of the instruments mentioned above. To determine the effectiveness of our
questionnaire, it was necessary to pretest it before actually using it. It helped us determine the
strength and weaknesses of our survey concerning the questions format, wording and order; where
respondents were asked to explain reactions to question form, wording and order (Participating
pretest). This approach helped us to determine whether the questionnaire is understandable.
3.6 Validity and Reliability of Data collection Instruments
Validity and reliability are two main important concepts in the acceptability of the use of our
instrument for appropriateness and consistency in measuring our study. While validity is the
strength of our conclusions, inferences or proportions ; reliability is the degree to which our research
instruments was measured the same way each time it was used under the same condition with the

37
same subjects. The estimated values of validity and reliability coefficients adopted depend on the
study. However, conventionally, a coefficient value of at least 0.70 or 70% is acceptable in research
(Kathuri & Pals, 1993). Questionnaires, interviews, observations, a map, survey statistics, and
document analysis are appropriate and consistent to measure the content and prediction validity; and
consistency, stability and ability to eliminate errors of reliability in order to control the quality this
research intends to measure and to attain validity and reliability coefficient values of at least70%.
3.7 Data analysis Methods
To postulate how the data was analyzed, descriptive analysis was used in reporting the findings and
inferential analysis will be used to draw conclusions concerning the relationship and differences
found in research results. The data collected was grouped, categorized, and analyzed with the use of
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software according to the study objective. Visual
display such as pie charts was used to demonstrate the percentage of every variable under study. The
data was then transferred to Microsoft Word (MS WORD) for interpretation. The work breakdown
plan was also used to demonstrate the research time frame using the Gantt chart in Microsoft Project
(MSP) and Microsoft excel (MS Excel) was used to prepare the resource plan and Budget of
activities.
3.8 Research Procedure
Data was collected from a sample size of 200 respondents, interviewees and observant from the
student residential area of “Bonamoussadi” in Yaounde, Cameroon during the period of October and
November, 2010 using data collection techniques such as questionnaires, interviews, document
analysis, and observation. The data was collected by the research team consisting of some members
of Focused Group Discussion (FGD), and research assistants.

38
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
This chapter explains how this study investigated the “impact of socio-economic environment and
food security in the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon”. This was in the light of the discrepancy
between the ideal situation and the actual practice of food security in “Bonamoussadi” is the
constant food poisoning and other related food borne diseases and the variations in terms of
ingredients, processing, methods of marketing and consumption often reflect a growing difficulty to
provide adequate infrastructure and environmental hygiene to ensure safe production of food
making the target population vulnerable to food insecurity, consequently leading a negative impact
on their active, healthy and some times death. The data collected was analyzed using research
instruments such as questionnaires, interviews, observations, a map, survey statistics, and document
analysis as the main tools for collecting data. This chapter presents the findings of this analyzes and
verification of objectives or questions in order to show that our hypotheses were verified.
Table 1: Gender
The statistics presented on the table above is also presented on the pie chart in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1
This work focuses on how socio-economic environment status that is influenced by gender as an
important determinant in the study. From the results, male respondents have a higher proportion of
Frequency Percent
Male 77 51.3
Female 73 48.7
Total 150 100.0
Female
Male
Gender

39
51.3% as compared to 48.7% for female. Hence, this indicates to us that most male respondents eat
in restaurants or their social ties has an impact on food security than our female respondents.
Table 2: Marital Status
Frequency Percent
Single 134 89.3
Married 16 10.7
Total 150 100.0
Figure 2: Marital Status
The statistics above show that singles have a percentage of 89.3% than married with 10.7%.
Hence, social interaction and individual lifestyle factor such as status play a role in shaping the
study. However, the proportion of singles influences social interaction as a determining factor in
food security.
Table 3: Profession
Frequency Percent
Student 95 63.3
Civil servant 10 6.7
Military 8 5.3
Others 37 24.7
Total 150 100.0
Married
Single
Marital Status

40
Figure 3: Profession
The statistics above show that “Bonamoussadi” inhabit people from different professional
backgrounds such as students bearing 63.3%, Civil servants bearing 6.7%, military bearing 5.3%,
and people from other works of life bearing 24.7%. Hence, the area under study is a student’s
residential area.
Table 4: Education
Frequency Percent
O/L 18 12.0
A/L 43 28.7
Bachelor Degree 57 38.0
Maitrise 12 8.0
Master degree 11 7.3
Others 9 6.0
Total 150 100.0
The statistics presented on the table above is also presented on the pie chart in Figure 4 below
Figure 4: Education
Others
Military
Civil servant
Student
Profession
Others
Master degree
Maitrise
Bachelor Degree
A/L
O/L
Education

41
The results above show that students holding secondary school certificate is 12%, high school
28.7%, undergraduate 38%, postgraduate 17.3% and other certificate holders form just 6%. Hence,
the area under study is predominantly where students converged to pursue education.
Table 5: Religion
Frequency Percent
Christian 126 84.0
Muslim 3 2.0
Others 21 14.0
Total 150 100.0
Figure 5: Religion
From the survey, socio-economic environment and food security is not a phenomenon for a
particular religion, every one is involved.84% of our respondent’s represent Christians, 2% of our
respondents were Muslims and 14% represent others. Therefore Christians have more social
interactive ties that influence food behavior in the area than the other denominations.
Table 7: Has your eating habit changed because of social ties?
Frequency Percent
Yes (Always) 61 40.7
No 28 18.7
Yes (Sometimes) 61 40.7
Total 150 100.0
Others
Muslim
Christian
Religion

42
Figure 7: Has your eating habit changed because of social ties?
The statistics above show that 40.7% of our respondents said yes (always), 18% said no and 40.75
said sometimes to their eating habits being changed because of social ties. This in indicative by the
fact that even when eating alone, eating habit is influenced by social ties because attitudes and habits
develop through interaction with others as per the analysis.
Table 8: What determines your food choice?
Frequency Percent
Nutritional needs 36 24.0
Taste 62 41.3
Cooking skills 24 16.0
Co-habitation 20 13.3
Cultural barriers from
eating certain food 8 5.3
Total 150 100.0
Figure 8: What determines your food choice?
Yes (Sometimes)
No
Yes (Always)
Has your eating habit changed because of social ties?
Cultural barriers from
eating certain food
Co-habitation
Cooking skills
Taste
Nutritional needs
What determines your food choice?

43
Our survey report show 24% of our respondents said nutrition needs, 41% said taste, 16% said
Cooking skills, 13.3% said Co-habitation and 5.3% said Cultural barriers from eating certain food
determines their food choice. Therefore many of our respondents preference for food is taste.
Table 10: Does your financial status always permit you to buy food on credit?
Frequency Percent
No 82 54.7
Total 150 100.0
Figure 10: Does your financial status always permit you to buy food on credit?
During our research, we observed that there were clear differences in social classes with regard to
food and nutrients intakes. Low-income groups in particular have a tendency to consume low-cost
food and indebt themselves, and finally don’t pay back in most cases. 20% of our respondents buy
food on credit basis, 54% does not, while 25.3% sometimes does. This implies our respondents have
the means to buy food.
Yes (Sometimes)
No
Yes (Always)
Does your financial status always permit you to buy food on credit?

44
Table 11: Which of the following do you spend on most?
Frequency Percent
Low-cost food 17 11.3
Nutritious food 42 28.0
Drinking with friends 20 13.3
Fashion 16 10.7
Education 37 24.7
Utility bills 18 12.0
Total 150 100.0
Figure 11: Which of the following do you spend on most?
We also observed the area under study has more young, active and ambitious Cameroonians who
seems to loss focus with their remittances, this is backed up by our statistics which shows 11.3%
expensed on low-cost food, 28% on nutritious food,13.3% on drinking with friends, 24.7% on
education and 12% on utility bills. This implies more of our respondents spend their money on
nutritious food than the others.
Table 12: How often do you do environmental hygiene and sanitation?
Frequency Percent
Very often 82 54.7
Often 57 38.0
Don't have time 11 7.3
Total 150 100.0
Utility bills
Education
Fashion
Drinking with friends
Nutritious food
Low-cost food
Which of the following do you expensed on most?

45
Figure12: How often do you do environmental hygiene and sanitation?
Good environmental hygiene, sanitation, and adequate infrastructure is very necessary for proper
food handling in order to avoid risk factors associated with food especially street foods. Our
research statistics show that 54.7% of our respondents carry on environmental hygiene and
sanitation very often, 38% do it often, and only 7.3% don’t have time for it. More of our respondents
do practice environmental hygiene and sanitation that is why the area is not yet very vulnerable to
food security.
Table 13: What is your main source of drinking water?
Frequency Percent
Public tap (Buy
water sometimes) 75 50.0
Well 12 8.0
Spring 3 2.0
Mineral water 17 11.3
Others 43 28.7
Total 150 100.0
Figure 13: What is your main source of drinking water?
Don't have time
Often
Very often
How often do you do environmental hygiene and sanitation?
Others
Mineral water
Spring
Well
Public tap (Buy water
sometimes)
What is your main source of drinking water?

46
The results above revealed that, the main source of drinking water for our target population come
from public tap (sometimes buy water) 50%, well 8%, spring 2%, those who buy mineral water were
11.3% and other sources of drinking water were 28.7%. This implies that the available income left
with our respondents cannot enable them buy mineral water all the time
Table 15: Which of the physical and economic restrictions prevent you to have access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food?
Frequency Percent
Lack of land to cultivate
food crop 4 2.7
Lack of food availability 3 2.0
High food prices 106 70.7
Don't have time to cook
food 37 24.7
Total 150 100.0
Figure 15: Which of the physical and economic restrictions prevent you to have access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food?
Concerns about insufficient food access have resulted in greater policy focus on food prices and
expenditures that is why 70.7% of our respondents said high food prices, 24% said they don’t have
time to cook food are the main reasons physical and economic restrictions prevent them to have
access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Only 2.7% lack land to cultivate food crop and just 2%
lack food availability. This implies high food prices is usually the reason why they can not meet
their food preference.
Don't have time to cook
food
High food prices
Lack of food availability
Lack of land to cultivate
food crop
Which of the physical and economic restrictions prevent you to have access
to sufficient, safe and nutritious food?

47
Table 16: How many times a day do you eat sufficient, safe and nutritious food?
Frequency Percent
Three times 25 16.7
Two times 72 48.0
Once 36 24.0
Less than Once 17 11.3
Total 150 100.0
Figure 16: How many times a day do you eat sufficient, safe and nutritious food?
Food availability addresses the supply side of food security and is determined by the level of food
production, stock level, and trading which is the reason 16.7% of our respondents said three times,
48% said two times, 24% said once and 11.3% said less than once to have eaten sufficient, safe and
nutritious food a day. That is why food security is a concern.
Table 17: Does eating in the restaurant pose health risk?
Frequency Percent
No 6 4.0
Total 150 100.0
Less than Once
Once
Two times
Three times
How many times a day do you eat sufficient, safe and nutritious food?

48
Figure 17: Does eating in the restaurant pose health risk?
Health risk posed by food from restaurants may outweigh their benefits, that is the reason 62% of
our respondents said yes, 34% said some times, and only 4% said no to eating in restaurant pose
health risk.
Table 18: Will you appreciate the study of food security to be implemented in
"Bonamoussadi"?
Frequency Percent
Yes 143 95.3
No 7 4.7
Total 150 100.0
Figure 18: Will you appreciate the study of food security to be implemented in
"Bonamoussadi"?
From observation, 95.3% will recommend “socio-economic environment and food security to be
implemented in “Bonamoussadi”, only 4.7% will not. This implies our respondents are vulnerable to
food security.
Yes (Sometimes)
No
Yes (Always)
Does eating in the restaurant pose health risk?
No
Yes
Will you appreciate the study of food security to be implemented in
"Bonamoussadi"?

49
4.2 Verification of Hypothesis
1. To determine the impact social interaction has on food security in “Bonamoussadi”
Table 6: Does your social interaction have an impact on your choice of food?
Frequency Percent
No 15 10.0
Total 150 100.0
The statistics presented on the table above is also presented on the pie chart in Figure 6 below
Figure 6: Does your social interaction have an impact on your choice of food?
“Bonamoussadi” has a mosaic setting characterized by young people whose daily action or omission
affects others. From the survey, 46% of our respondents said yes (always), 10% said no and 44%
said sometimes. Hence, social interaction has an impact either directly on indirectly on others food
choice. From the interpretation, we therefore confirm our hypothesis for this question to be
verifiable that social interaction has an impact on food security in “Bonamoussadi”.
2. To examine if income determines access to food supply in “Bonamoussadi”
Table 9: Do you always rely from friends or relatives for food?
Frequency Percent
No 51 34.0
Total 150 100.0
Yes (Sometimes)
No
Yes (Always)
Does your social interaction have an impact on your choice of food?

50
Figure 9: Do you always rely from friends or relatives for food?
It was observed during research that our target group was facing difficulties of low-income in
achieving healthy diet. This is in support by our survey statistics which show 21.3% of our
respondents rely from friends or relatives for food, 34% does not and 44.7% sometimes rely from
friends or relatives for food. Verifying our research question does income level determine access to
food supply? Income determines access to food supply in “Bonamoussadi”.
3. To investigate the hygienic condition of food consumption in “Bonamoussadi”
Table 14: Do you think environmental hygiene and sanitation has an impact on your food
consumption?
Frequency Percent
Yes 132 88.0
No 6 4.0
Sometimes 12 8.0
Total 150 100.0
Figure 14: Do you think environmental hygiene and sanitation has an impact on your food
consumption?
Yes (Sometimes)
No
Yes (Always)
Do you always rely from friends or relatives for food?

51
From the analysis above, it was observed that, only 4% think no, 8% think sometimes and 88%
think environmental hygiene and sanitation has an impact on their food consumption, which means
risk factors associated with foods shall be eliminated should environmental hygiene and sanitation is
practiced, should there be the presence of adequate basic infrastructure, and proper food handling.
Verifying the objective for this question shows that we accept our research hypothesis that
environmental hygiene and sanitation affects food consumption
Sometimes
No
Yes
Do you think environmental hygiene and sanitation has an impact on your
food consumption?

52
CHAPTER FIVE
Discussions, Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Discussions
During our research, we were able to identify three main stakeholders that has responsibility of
affecting the study either positively of negatively, they are food-vendors, consumers of food in any
form and actors in the field of food security. In addition to the analysis on chapter four, discussions
highlight some interesting findings to verify our objectives and from interviews with stakeholders in
the field of food security such as some past and residents and students who lived in “Bonamoussadi
at the time, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and the
National Programme for Food Security at the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The
purpose of these interviews is to collect information that cannot be directly observed or are difficult
to put down in writing, to capture meanings beyond words. These will enable us to obtain historical
information and gain control over the line of questioning. The following findings were gotten:
5.1.1 The socio-economic characteristics of “Bonamoussadi”
“Bonamoussadi” is the main student residential area around the University of Yaounde I. It is a
multi-ethnic community which has a constant influx of especially student in quest of education.
Families and people of different walks of life live in the area; the number of students is more than
any other category of people living there. Most of the students come from different socio-cultural
and economic backgrounds, due to these differences; there is the need to adapt to new pattern of life.
Social influences on food intake which implies to the impact that one or more persons have on the
eating behaviour of others, either direct or indirect, either conscious or subconscious. Even when
eating alone, food choice is influenced by social factors because attitudes and habits develop
through the interaction with others. Housing in the area is poorly planned and are very close to each
other in such a way that the rays of sun hardly reach in them all day. Students do in such hostel
suffer a lot in the absence of electricity. Some students share single rooms with friends in order to
lessen the burden of exorbitant rent, while other choose to live in rooms they can afford. Students
and non students alike in “Bonamoussadi” involve themselves in the informal service sector to
supplement remittances from relations and social networks. “Bonamoussadi” as described by a

53
lecturer at the University of Younde I is a beehive of diverse business networks that attract city
dwellers of Yaounde on a daily basis at low-cost prices. (FGD, 2010).
5.1.2 Eating habit in “Bonamoussadi”
Eating habit in”Bonamoussadi” operates within an ecological framework characterized by social,
economic, academic, physical and psychological factors. These factors interact and shaped feeding
habits of our target population. Foster and Anderson (1978:265) are of the opinion that
“anthropologists view feeding habits as a complex whole of culinary activities, likes and dislikes,
folk wisdom, beliefs, taboos and superstitions associated with the production, preparation and
consumption of food.”(FGD, 2010). In a typical setting like “Bonanz”, feeding habit is influenced
by social interaction with others consciously or not (motorbike rider, 2010).
5.1.3 Environmental hygiene and basic infrastructural facilities
Environmental hygiene and sanitation is a very big problem in “Bonamoussadi” because of the fact
that hostels are built in such a haphazard manner, it makes it easier for people to make their way
through in between hotels and dump debris along the way. Toilets are either located behind or
besides hostels, most landlords do not take into consideration the fact that wrong placement of
toilets is nuisance to other neighbours. A few toilets offer basic infrastructural facilities like internal
toilet/bath and kitchen, while in most cases, the baths or urinary pipes are emptied in the gutters
demarcating the hotels. To make it worse, the area is characterized by marshy areas popularly
known as “elobi”. Due to the topography, after every down pour water drains to the base where
streams cut across. While some human activities and household wastes most often are emptied into
the gutters and streams which narrows the course of the streams. Worse still is the placement of
local food-vendors in every nooks and corner of “Bonamoussadi”, lack of basic infrastructural
support to promote sanitation like safe water supplies, toilets, hand washing facilities and drainage
accessibility; and improper food handling (FGD,2010).
5.1.4 Perception on food security and intervention
Approximately 75% of the people interviewed on the perception of the concept of food security in
“Bonamoussadi” does not fully understand or are unaware about the whole concept. They strongly
recommend “socio-economic environment and food security” to be implement as a sensitization

54
programme and are in dire need of the intervention of the government to ameliorate the housing and
employment problems. We were equally briefed by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
on the “report of the twenty-first FAO Regional Conference for Africa on the recommendations of
food security on member states held on the 21st
-25th
, February 2000 in Youande, Cameroon to
underline the need to expand the programme in order to achieve national food security objectives
and requested FAO to mobilise financing, to the extent possible (Appendix G, paragraph 21b) and
recommended the participatory formulation of a coherent and equitable national food security policy
with the involvement of all stakeholders; (Appendix H, paragraph 5).
5.1.5 Discussions on Findings
To determine the impact social interaction has on food security
The data analysis and interpretation of the objective above revealed major findings under this
objective. The objective was to verify the impact of social interaction has on food behavior, our
findings revealed that out of a sample size of 150, 69 respondents answered “Yes” scoring 46%, 66
respondents said “Yes (Sometimes)” scoring 44% and only 15 respondents said “No” scoring just
10% to the fact that social interaction has an impact on food behavior. These findings indicate that
social interaction has an impact on food behavior. Therefore, we accept the research hypothesis and
reject the null hypothesis. This may owe to the fact that “Bonamoussadi” has a mosaic setting
characterized by young ambitious people whose daily actions and omissions affect others directly or
indirectly, consciously or unconsciously. Hopkins argued with reference to Maslow’s theory of
hierarchy that food security stands as a fundamental need, basic to all human needs and the
organization of social life. Access to necessary nutrients is fundamental not only to life per se, but
also to stable and enduring social order (Hopkins 1986:4).
To examine if income determines access to food supply
The second objective of this study was to examine if income determine access to food supplies in
“Bonamoussadi”. Data analysis and interpretation revealed major findings under this objective.
Ensuring food availability does not necessarily guarantee all household will be able to secure their
food needs. The purpose for this objective was to verify if poor people or low-income earners may
be able to produce enough food for their needs or able to buy food. It was revealed that 21% of our
respondents always rely from friends or relatives for food as against 34% who said they don’t, but

55
44.7% sometimes rely from friends or relatives for food. These findings indicate income determines
access to food supply though a lesser percentage rely from friends or relatives, a greater percentage
sometimes rely from friends or relatives. This statistic may owe to the fact that food availability
does not necessarily ensure food security. But the subsistence theory conceptualizes the state of food
security to the responsive working population of “Bonamoussadi” as the chief determinants in their
predominant nonfarm informal service sector supplemented by remittances from relations to the
consumption needed to invent their way out of poverty and food crisis in order to for sustain
livelihoods.
To investigate hygiene and sanitation condition of food consumption
The third objective of this study was to establish hygiene and sanitation condition on food
consumption in “Bonamousadi”. Data analysis and interpretation revealed major findings under this
objective since contemporary issues on the survival of population have made food security and
environmental protection issues of discourse. This is because the need to maintain a good
environment and to ensure good eating habit is lingering challenges with health care. The purpose
for this objective is that with dire poverty and ignorance of citizenry on correct healthy practices,
there is the great need to ensure that whatever is available as food must not only meet safety
standards, but must also be friendly to the environment. Our findings revealed that 88% of our
respondents said “Yes” as against only 4% who said “No”, while 8% said “Sometimes” to
environmental hygiene and sanitation affecting food consumption. Therefore, we accept research
hypothesis and reject null hypothesis. This may owe to the fact that Herzberg’s theory and hygiene
factors in this study may not satisfy food security needs, but will maintain good environment and
ensure healthy food habit.
5.2 Conclusions
This study was out to investigate the “socio-economic environment and food security in the student
residential area of “Bonamoussadi””. It was intended to examine the socio-economic impact of food
security in “Bonamoussadi”. This was in relation to the discrepancy between the ideal and the actual
practices of food security in the area under study is that there is constant food poisoning and other
related food borne diseases affecting more than 85% of the target population due to health risk
posed by improper food handling, lack of basic infrastructural facilities such clean water supply,

56
drainage accessibility, toilets, especially with street-vended foods consumption which play a
significant role in shaping the eating habit of “Bonamoussadi” outweigh their benefits. The
variations in terms of ingredients, processing, methods of marketing and consumption often reflect a
growing difficulty to provide adequate infrastructure and environmental hygiene to ensure safe
production of food making the target population vulnerable to food insecurity, consequently leading
a negative impact on their active, healthy and some times death. This work specifically sought to
determine the impact social interaction has on food behavior, examine if income determines access
to food supply, and investigate hygiene and sanitation condition of food consumption in
“Bonamoussadi”; some research questions were posed to find out the relationship between two
variables which reflects our specific objectives such as does social interaction have an impact on
food behavior?, does income level determine food supply?, does environmental hygiene and
sanitation affect food consumption?; a presumptive proposition were made in order to test our
findings such as social interaction has an impact on food behavior, income determines access to
food supply, and environmental hygiene and sanitation affect food consumption. This study
established that 46% said “yes” as against 10% who said “no”, while 44% said sometimes to social
interaction has an impact on food behavior; 21.3% answered “yes” as against 34% who said “no”,
while 44% said “sometimes”; 88% said “yes” as against 4% who said “no”, while 8% said
environmental hygiene and sanitation “sometimes” has an impact on food consumption. From our
findings, we accept our research hypothesis and reject null hypothesis because of the link between
the socio-economic environment and food security.
5.3 Recommendations by Objectives
Basing generalizations on the findings of this study, we recommend to the government that:
Strategies for sustainable development should involve a much broader array of policies than
agricultural development, since the ecological setting of “Bonamoussadi” allow people to import
food and buy road side food than cultivate food crops in the area.
The implementation of credits to nonfarm enterprises should be the improvement of low-cost
housing and expansion of hygiene and sanitation education should also be considered.

57
Basic infrastructural facilities such as toilets, drainage accessibility, clean water supplies, waste bin
with lids, and hand washing facilities should be provided since our target population feed more from
road side restaurants than prepare food in their houses.
Other Recommendations
Investment should be made in education and training should of especially street food vendors on
proper food handling, since they play a significant role in providing accessible, low-cost meals to
“Bonamoussadi”.
Concerted efforts should be made to have a participatory formulation of a coherent and
equitable national food security policy with the involvement of all stakeholders in field of food
security.
Concern should be made to education and training of street-food vendors which offer the most cost-
effective way to reduce the incidence of food borne disease.
There is need to valorize local conservation techniques and promote them to enhance local food
security as well as develop modern techniques for conservation for the market at various levels.

58
APPENDIX F
CAMEROON BILINGUAL CENTER FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND
CONSULTANCY (CITEC)
THEME: The Socio-Economic Environment and Food Security Assessment in the Student
Residential Area of “Bonamoussadi”, Yaounde-Cameroon.
Prepared By TABE SHADRACK Ayuk
I am a student at the Cameroon Bilingual Center for Information Technology and Consultancy
(CITEC), this questionnaire is intended for the completion of research study in partial fulfillment for
an award of Diploma in Project Planning and Management. The information I collect will be used
only for purely academic purpose. To ensure a successful completion of this research, please kindly
answer the questions below as honestly and objectively as possible. I promise to keep your identity
anonymous and all the information you give will be confidential, private and will not be used for
any purpose other than that stated objectives above. The questions usually take about 10 minutes.
There is no right or wrong answer, kindly tick or mark an “X” the responds that best suits your
perception or actions. Thanks for your opinion and corporation.
SECTION A: PERSONAL IDENTITY
1. Gender a) Male b) Female
2. Marital Status a) Single b) Married c) Divorced d) Widow(er)
3. Profession a) Student b) Civil Servant c) Military d) Others
4. Education a) O/L b) A/L c) Bachelor Degree d) Maîtrise e) Master Degree f) Others
5. Religion a) Christian b) Muslim c) Others
SECTION B: SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
6. Does your social interaction have an impact on your choice of food? a) Yes (Always) b) No
c) Sometimes
7. Has your eating habit changed because of social ties? a) Yes (Always) b) No c) Yes
(Sometimes)
8. What determines your food choice? a) Nutritional needs b) Taste c) Cooking skills
d) Co-habitation e) Marriage f) cultural barriers from eating certain food

59
9. Do you always rely on help from friends or relatives for food? a) Yes (Always) b) No c)
Sometimes
10. Does your financial status always permit you to buy food on credit? a) Yes (Always) b) No
c) Yes (Sometimes)
11. Which of the following do you expense most on? a) Low-cost food b) Nutritious food
c) Drinking with friends d) Fashion e) Education f) Utility bills
12. How often do you do environmental hygiene and sanitation? a) Very often b) Often
c) Never (Don’t have time)
13. What is the main source of your drinking water? a) Public tap (Buy water sometimes) b)
Well c) Spring d) Mineral water e) Others
14. Do you think environmental hygiene and sanitation has an impact on food consumption?
a) Yes (Always) b) No c) Yes (Sometimes)
SECTION C: FOOD SECURITY
15. Which of the physical and economic restrictions prevent you to have access to sufficient, safe
and nutritious food? a) Lack of land to cultivate food crop b) Lack of food in my dwelling c)
high food prices d) don’t have time to cook food
16. How many times a day does you eat sufficient, safe and nutritious food? a) Three times
b) Two times c) Once d) Less than Once
17. Does eating in the restaurant pose health risk? a) Yes (Always) b) No c) Yes (Sometimes)
18. Will you appreciate the study of food security to be implemented in “Bonamoussadi”? a) Yes
b) No
Thank You Again!!!

60
REFERENCES
Amartya Sen, (1981). Poverty and famine: Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation
Amin, M.E (2005). Social Science Research Concept, Methodology & Analysis.
Charles Handy, (1985). The future of Work
Esther Boserup, (1965). The Economics of Agrarian change under population pressure
Food and Agricultural Organization. Food Security Information for Action Practical Guides
International Food safety Authorities Network Information Note, (2010). Basic steps to improve
safety of street-vended food.
Oso & Onen, (2008). A Handbook for Beginning Researchers (2nd
ed.)
Thomas Robert Malthus, (1978). An essay on the principle of population.
World Food Programme, (2009).Emergency Food Assessment Handbook (2nd
ed.).
REPORTS AND ARTICLES
COMINSUD, (2010). Cameroon: Hunger and poverty amidst abundant resources and potentials.
Bad policies or lack of good will.
United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report, (2006).
FAO, (2000). Report of the twenty-first FAO Regional Conference for Africa
INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE
American Psychological Association: www.apa.org
European Food Information Council: www.eufic.org
Encarta 2009

Socio-Economic impact of food Security in the Student residential Area of Bonamoussadi, yaounde

More Related Content

What's hot

Similar to Socio-Economic impact of food Security in the Student residential Area of Bonamoussadi, yaounde

Socio-Economic impact of food Security in the Student residential Area of Bonamoussadi, yaounde