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. 2025 Oct 7:13:1639325.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1639325. eCollection 2025.

Food insecurity among Romani adults with chronic illness in Jordan: prevalence, predictors, and public health implications

Mohammad Othman Abudari  1 , Nadin Abdel Razeq  1 , Mahmoud Al-Hussami  1 , Abdullah Algunmeeyn  1 , Manar Abu-Abbas  2
Affiliations

Food insecurity among Romani adults with chronic illness in Jordan: prevalence, predictors, and public health implications

Mohammad Othman Abudari et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The Roma community in Jordan, as in other parts of the world, often resides in informal settlements with limited access to employment, education, and basic services, increasing their vulnerability to food insecurity and poor health.

Objective: This study examined the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among Roma adults in Jordan living with chronic diseases.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 347 Roma individuals with at least one chronic illness across four governorates. Data on demographics, health behaviors, and food security status were collected through structured questionnaire interviews. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to identify associated factors.

Results: Food insecurity was widespread, with 75.6% of participants reporting low food security and 14.9% very low food security. Logistic regression identified key predictors: having two or more chronic conditions increased risk (OR = 2.21, 95% CI [1.13, 4.32], p = 0.021), as did being divorced/widowed (OR = 6.56, 95% CI [1.05, 41.05], p = 0.044). Residence in Amman (OR = 0.04, 95% CI [0.01, 0.17], p < 0.001) and Madaba (OR = 0.09, 95% CI [0.02, 0.44], p = 0.003) reduced risk. Difficult healthcare access (OR = 3.50, 95% CI [1.29, 9.46], p = 0.014) elevated risk, while good/excellent self-rated health was protective (OR = 0.22, 95% CI [0.09, 0.52], p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Food insecurity is highly prevalent among Roma with chronic diseases in Jordan. Addressing this issue through targeted nutritional and healthcare interventions is vital to reduce disease burden and health disparities in this marginalized population.

Keywords: Jordan; Romani population; chronic disease; food insecurity; vulnerable populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Food security status among Romani population in Jordan with chronic diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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