Financial problems associated with food insecurity among public university students in Peninsular Malaysia

Nurulhudha Mohd Jamil, . and Norhasmah Sulaiman, . and Siti Nur’Asyura Adznam, . and Shamsul Azahari Zainal Badari, . Financial problems associated with food insecurity among public university students in Peninsular Malaysia. pp. 411-423. ISSN 1394–035X

Introduction: Food is a necessity for students. Yet students food expenditure is anticipated to be restrained by their financial status. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and its determinants among university students attending public universities in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: Multistage random sampling was used to select respondents from public universities in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 427 undergraduate students completed a selfadministered questionnaire at four randomly selected universities (Universiti Utara Malaysia Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Universiti Malaysia Pahang and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia). The questionnaire consisted of information concerning demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds food security status eating behaviour financial literacy and financial problem among university students. Frequency chi-square and logistic regression were used to analyse the variables. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 21.6 years and 60.9 were found to be food insecure. Gender (5.415) origin (3.871) number of siblings (4.521) financial problem (42.364) and regular breakfast intake (5.654) were associated with food security status (p0.05). Male respondents had 1.5 times (AOR1.547 95 CI: 1.006-2.380) the risk of having low food security status. Those with higher financial problems (AOR3.575 95 CI: 2.332-5.481) were 3.5 times more likely to be food insecure. Conclusion: The prevalence of food insecurity among public university students in Peninsular Malaysia was significantly high. Thus intervention studies should focus on students with financial problems. Moreover establishing a better system for an on campus food pantry or food bank is needed to counter the high prevalence of food insecurity among university students.

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Abstract

Introduction: Food is a necessity for students. Yet students food expenditure is anticipated to be restrained by their financial status. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and its determinants among university students attending public universities in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: Multistage random sampling was used to select respondents from public universities in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 427 undergraduate students completed a selfadministered questionnaire at four randomly selected universities (Universiti Utara Malaysia Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Universiti Malaysia Pahang and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia). The questionnaire consisted of information concerning demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds food security status eating behaviour financial literacy and financial problem among university students. Frequency chi-square and logistic regression were used to analyse the variables. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 21.6 years and 60.9 were found to be food insecure. Gender (5.415) origin (3.871) number of siblings (4.521) financial problem (42.364) and regular breakfast intake (5.654) were associated with food security status (p0.05). Male respondents had 1.5 times (AOR1.547 95 CI: 1.006-2.380) the risk of having low food security status. Those with higher financial problems (AOR3.575 95 CI: 2.332-5.481) were 3.5 times more likely to be food insecure. Conclusion: The prevalence of food insecurity among public university students in Peninsular Malaysia was significantly high. Thus intervention studies should focus on students with financial problems. Moreover establishing a better system for an on campus food pantry or food bank is needed to counter the high prevalence of food insecurity among university students.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Foods
AGROVOC Term:	Food insecurity
AGROVOC Term:	Surveys
AGROVOC Term:	Questionnaires
AGROVOC Term:	Students
AGROVOC Term:	Universities
AGROVOC Term:	Financial situation
AGROVOC Term:	Meal patterns
AGROVOC Term:	Sex (gender)
AGROVOC Term:	Siblings
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/9778

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