| dc.description.abstract | Refugees and asylum seekers face persistent food security challenges due to their heavy reliance
on humanitarian aid, which is increasingly unsustainable amid global crises driven by conflicts
and disasters. This study investigates the role of health education in improving food security in
Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary
approach to empower these vulnerable populations. The study adopts Systems Theory and
Network Society Theory as its theoretical framework. Systems Theory conceptualizes food
security as a dynamic and interdependent system consisting of four pillars; availability, access,
utilization, and stability, where disturbances in one affect the entire system through feedback
loops. Network Society Theory complements this by framing food security within a complex
network shaped by flows of information, power, and resources, where actors play differentiated
roles in shaping access, decision-making, and education delivery. Using a concurrent mixedmethods
descriptive design, the study surveyed 385 refugee households, conducted 43 Key
Informant Interviews (KIIs), and held 28 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving refugees,
host communities, humanitarian actors, and government officials. Demographically, the sample
was dominated by female respondents (69.9%) and long-term residents (70.4%), indicating a
relatively stable and feminized refugee population. Most participants were young (18–59 years),
economically vulnerable (55.6% had no income-generating activities), and lacked formal
education (72.4%), which hinders their engagement with health education and capacity to act on
food security strategies. The study revealed that 78.4% of households depended on food aid from
the World Food Programme (WFP), indicating high external dependency. However, access to
health education particularly through facility-level or technology-based channels was associated
with greater understanding of food security issues. Multivariable logistic regression analysis
provided statistical evidence supporting these findings. Individuals aware of facility-based
(adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 2.95; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.62–5.38; p < 0.001) and
technology-based (aOR = 3.06; CI: 1.63–5.75; p = 0.001) health education strategies were
significantly more likely to understand food security concepts. Other positive predictors included
satisfaction with health education programs (aOR = 2.17; p = 0.015), access to income (aOR =
4.36; p < 0.001), and the ability to procure food beyond aid (aOR = 1.86; p = 0.041). In contrast,
prolonged refugee status (aOR = 0.42; p = 0.001) and governance barriers (aOR = 2.86; p < 0.001)
were significant constraints. These findings underscore the importance of integrating contextspecific
and accessible health education strategies into refugee support systems. Facility-level
outreach and technology-enhanced education (e.g., mobile or digital platforms) can significantly
improve understanding and engagement. Moreover, governance structures play a critical role in
shaping program effectiveness, suggesting that policy reforms, improved coordination, and
funding mechanisms are vital to success. In conclusion, the study recommends a multidimensional
approach that enhances governance, promotes income generation, integrates refugee and host
communities, and deploys innovative education strategies. Tailored, community-driven solutions
are essential to empower refugees in Dadaab to make informed, independent decisions towards
achieving sustainable food security | en_US |
