Perception of discrimination by the head of the household and household food insecurity in Venezuelan migrants in Peru: Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based survey

Objectives: To evaluate the association between the perception of discrimination by the head of the household and the presence of moderate to severe food insecurity in the households of Venezuelan migrants and refugees residing in Peru. Methods: Secondary data analysis of the Survey Directed at the Venezuelan Population Resident in Peru (ENPOVE, for its acronym in Spanish) 2022. The analysis included 3491 migrant Venezuelan family heads. The exposure variable was discrimination perceived by the head of the household (yes/no) since arriving in Peru and the outcome was the presence of moderate to severe food insecurity in the household (yes/no) in the last 30 days, measured with the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated to evaluate the association of interest, adjusted for potential confounding variables. Results: Of the total participants, 35.6 % had perceived discrimination since arriving in Peru; Likewise, 39 % of households presented moderate to severe food insecurity. The perception of discrimination by the head of the household was associated with a greater probability of presenting moderate to severe food insecurity in the home (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.29; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.42). Conclusions: The perception of discrimination among Venezuelan migrant and refugee household heads residing in the country is associated with a greater probability of moderate to severe food insecurity. Urgent measures are required to mitigate this problem which will potentially affect food and socioeconomic inequality in our country.