A Qualitative Comparative Study: Coping Strategies Among Food Secure and Insecure Pregnant Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Serang District

Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the food security dimension, from the macro to micro level. Households dealt with the crisis by implementing coping strategies,
led by mothers. Consequently, these impacted on their health and nutrition status, notably during pregnancy. This unfavorable condition was due to their primary role in maintaining
household food security. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of pregnant mothers of food secure and insecure about their household coping strategies. Methods: This study
used phenomenology with purposive sampling, and a total of 33 informants (21 pregnant mothers, and 11 other informants) in Serang district from May to October 2022. In Depth
Interviews (IDIs) were used during data collection, and the transcripts were verbatim. Respectively, data was analyzed using thematic coding with N-Vivo Version 12 Plus and Microsoft Excel. Result: Twenty-one pregnant mothers from food secure (n=7) and insecure (n=14) households revealed adopting the food-based coping strategies: rationing,
scratching; seeking, and sharing. Not centered on food: sought new job and side hustle, sold assets, borrowed money. Differentiation was the barters which were solely adopted by the food insecure pregnant mothers. Conclusion: Both food secure and insecure households implemented the 2 types of coping strategies, whilst the severe coping strategies were implemented by food insecure pregnant mothers.