Association between Food Insecurity and Procurement Methods among People Living with HIV in a High Resource Setting

Objective: People living with HIV in high-resource settings suffer severe levels of food insecurity; however, limited evidence exists regarding dietary intake and sub-components that characterize food insecurity (i.e. food quantity, quality, safety or procurement) in this population. We examined the prevalence and characteristics of food insecurity among people living with HIV across British Columbia, Canada. Design: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted within a national community-based research initiative. Methods: Food security was measured using the Health Canada Household Food Security Scale Module. Logistic regression was used to determine key independent predictors of food insecurity, controlling for potential confounders. Results: Of 262 participants, 192 (73%) reported food insecurity. Sub-components associated with food insecurity in bivariate analysis included: < RDI consumption of protein (p = 0.046); being sick from spoiled/unsafe food in the past six months (p = 0.010); and procurement of food using non-traditional methods (p <0.05). In multivariable analyses, factors significantly associated with food insecurity included: procurement of food using non-traditional methods [AOR = 11.11, 95% CI: 4.79–25.68, p = <0.001]; younger age [AOR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.96, p = <0.001]; unstable housing [AOR = 4.46, 95% CI: 1.15–17.36, p = 0.031]; household gross annual income [AOR = 4.49, 95% CI: 1.74–11.60, p = 0.002]; and symptoms of depression [AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.25–5.96, p = 0.012]. Conclusions: Food insecurity among people living with HIV in British Columbia is characterized by poor dietary quality and food procurement methods. Notably, participants who reported procuring in non-traditional manners were over 10 times more likely to be food insecure. These findings suggest a need for tailored food security and social support interventions in this setting

Estimation of transportation battery second life for use in electricity grid systems

This paper presents research from part of a larger project focusing on the potential development of commercial opportunities for the reuse of batteries on the electricity grid system, subsequent to their primary use in low and ultra-low carbon vehicles, and investigating the life cycle issues surrounding the batteries. The work has three main areas; examination of electric vehicle fleet data in detail to investigate usage in first life. Batteries that have passed through a battery recycler at the end of their first life have been tested within the laboratory to confirm the general assumption that remaining capacity of 80% after use in transportation is a reasonable assumption as a basis for second-life applications. The third aspect of the paper is an investigation of the equivalent usage for three different second-life applications based on connection to the electricity grid. Additionally, the paper estimates the time to cell failure of the batteries within their second-life application to estimate lifespan for use within commercial investigations. © 2014 IEEE

Association between Food Insecurity and Procurement Methods among People Living with HIV in a High Resource Setting.

ObjectivePeople living with HIV in high-resource settings suffer severe levels of food insecurity; however, limited evidence exists regarding dietary intake and sub-components that characterize food insecurity (i.e. food quantity, quality, safety or procurement) in this population. We examined the prevalence and characteristics of food insecurity among people living with HIV across British Columbia, Canada.DesignThis cross-sectional analysis was conducted within a national community-based research initiative.MethodsFood security was measured using the Health Canada Household Food Security Scale Module. Logistic regression was used to determine key independent predictors of food insecurity, controlling for potential confounders.ResultsOf 262 participants, 192 (73%) reported food insecurity. Sub-components associated with food insecurity in bivariate analysis included: &lt; RDI consumption of protein (p = 0.046); being sick from spoiled/unsafe food in the past six months (p = 0.010); and procurement of food using non-traditional methods (p &lt;0.05). In multivariable analyses, factors significantly associated with food insecurity included: procurement of food using non-traditional methods [AOR = 11.11, 95% CI: 4.79-25.68, p = &lt;0.001]; younger age [AOR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.96, p = &lt;0.001]; unstable housing [AOR = 4.46, 95% CI: 1.15-17.36, p = 0.031]; household gross annual income [AOR = 4.49, 95% CI: 1.74-11.60, p = 0.002]; and symptoms of depression [AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.25-5.96, p = 0.012].ConclusionsFood insecurity among people living with HIV in British Columbia is characterized by poor dietary quality and food procurement methods. Notably, participants who reported procuring in non-traditional manners were over 10 times more likely to be food insecure. These findings suggest a need for tailored food security and social support interventions in this setting

Participant responses to Canada Household Food Security Scale Module.

<p>Participant responses to Canada Household Food Security Scale Module.</p

Bivariate comparison of participant socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics, by food security status (n = 262).

<p>Bivariate comparison of participant socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics, by food security status (n = 262).</p

Bivariate comparison of procurement methods by food security status (n = 262).

<p>Bivariate comparison of procurement methods by food security status (n = 262).</p

Bivariate comparison of participant Health Eating Index (HEI) by food security status.

<p>Bivariate comparison of participant Health Eating Index (HEI) by food security status.</p

Univariate and multivariate analyses of factors associated with food insecurity (n = 218).^*

<p>Univariate and multivariate analyses of factors associated with food insecurity (n = 218).^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0157630#t007fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}</p

Bivariate comparison of daily participant caloric and nutrient sufficiency by food security status (n = 262).

<p>Bivariate comparison of daily participant caloric and nutrient sufficiency by food security status (n = 262).</p

Bivariate comparison of participant food safety by food security status (n = 262).

<p>Bivariate comparison of participant food safety by food security status (n = 262).</p