Food Insecurity and Anaemia Among a Tertiary Student Cohort: A One‐Centre Cross‐Sectional Study in Ghana
- 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences School of Allied Health Sciences University of Cape Coast Cape Coast Ghana ucc.edu.gh
- 2Anaemia and Haemoglobinopathy Research Group Medical Laboratory Diagnostics Graduate Programme Department of Medical Laboratory Science University of Cape Coast Cape Coast Ghana ucc.edu.gh
Abstract
Background: Food insecurity (FI) is a significant global issue impacting well‐being and may affect academic performance among students. In Ghana, inflation‐induced high food prices and diminished purchasing power may exacerbate anaemia and FI among vulnerable populations.
Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of FI and its relationship with anaemia among university students.
Materials and Methods: This one‐centre cross‐sectional study used the validated food security questionnaires to assess FI among 385 full‐time undergraduate and postgraduate students. Additionally, haemoglobin level was estimated with the Hemocue Hb 201+ analyser to determine anaemia. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate relationships between FI and anaemia and other sociodemographic variables.
Results: Respectively, 78.2% (301/385) and 67.5% (260/385) of the participants were FI on campus or at home. Relatedly, 63.7% (245/385) of the students were FI at both home and on campus; 14.5% were food secure at home but became FI on campus, whereas 3.9% were food secure on campus but became FI at home. Additionally, 27.8% (95% CI: 0.234–0.326) of participants were anaemic with significant disproportionate female representation (43.0% vs. 10.1% males, p < 0.001). Whereas male gender (78.1% vs. 58.5% females; p < 0.001), household income < 1000 GHS (p < 0.001) and basic parental education (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with FI at home, being a male (p = 0.003) or household income < 1000 GHS was significantly associated with FI on campus. Multivariate logistics analysis identified being a female as a significant risk factor of anaemia (aOR = 7.051, 95% CI: 3.818–13.023, p < 0.001); age groups, study type, regional differences, number of siblings, dependents, funding source, accommodation type and FI on campus did not show statistically significant associations.
Conclusion: FI and anaemia are prevalent public health issues faced by the tertiary student cohort; intentional social intervention strategies are needed to address anaemia and improve food access.
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BibTeX
@article{adu2026food,
title = {{Food Insecurity and Anaemia Among a Tertiary Student Cohort: A One‐Centre Cross‐Sectional Study in Ghana}},
author = {Patrick Adu and Ebenezer Tawiah and Israel Baffour Addo and Ernest Mensah and Samuel Tweneboah-Koduah and Redeemer Nana Fabea Addae and Prosper Junior Awittor and Irene Esi Amponsah},
journal = {Anemia},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1155/anem/1085315},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1155/anem/1085315},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Food Insecurity and Anaemia Among a Tertiary Student Cohort: A One‐Centre Cross‐Sectional Study in Ghana
AU - Patrick Adu
AU - Ebenezer Tawiah
AU - Israel Baffour Addo
AU - Ernest Mensah
AU - Samuel Tweneboah-Koduah
AU - Redeemer Nana Fabea Addae
AU - Prosper Junior Awittor
AU - Irene Esi Amponsah
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Anemia
DO - 10.1155/anem/1085315
UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/anem/1085315
AB - Background: Food insecurity (FI) is a significant global issue impacting well‐being and may affect academic performance among students. In Ghana, inflation‐induced high food prices and diminished purchasing power may exacerbate anaemia and FI among vulnerable populations. Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of FI and its relationship with anaemia among university students. Materials and Methods: This one‐centre cross‐sectional study used the validated food security questionnaires to assess FI among 385 full‐time undergraduate and postgraduate students. Additionally, haemoglobin level was estimated with the Hemocue Hb 201+ analyser to determine anaemia. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate relationships between FI and anaemia and other sociodemographic variables. Results: Respectively, 78.2% (301/385) and 67.5% (260/385) of the participants were FI on campus or at home. Relatedly, 63.7% (245/385) of the students were FI at both home and on campus; 14.5% were food secure at home but became FI on campus, whereas 3.9% were food secure on campus but became FI at home. Additionally, 27.8% (95% CI: 0.234–0.326) of participants were anaemic with significant disproportionate female representation (43.0% vs. 10.1% males, p < 0.001). Whereas male gender (78.1% vs. 58.5% females; p < 0.001), household income < 1000 GHS (p < 0.001) and basic parental education (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with FI at home, being a male (p = 0.003) or household income < 1000 GHS was significantly associated with FI on campus. Multivariate logistics analysis identified being a female as a significant risk factor of anaemia (aOR = 7.051, 95% CI: 3.818–13.023, p < 0.001); age groups, study type, regional differences, number of siblings, dependents, funding source, accommodation type and FI on campus did not show statistically significant associations. Conclusion: FI and anaemia are prevalent public health issues faced by the tertiary student cohort; intentional social intervention strategies are needed to address anaemia and improve food access.
SN - 2090-1267
SN - 2090-1275
ER -