Prevalence and Predictors of Food Insecurity among Public and Private University Lecturers: A Cross Sectional Study in Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Sayed Attaul  Haq Banuree; Rahman Shah Pakteen; Najibullah Rahimi; Sayed Ziaulhaq Banuree; Mohammad Malyar Rahmani

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v8i1.11763

Sayed Attaul Haq Banuree Department of Pre-clinic, School of Veterinary Science, Nangarhar University, Nangarhar, Afghanistan; 2 Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Science, Nangarhar University, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
Rahman Shah Pakteen Department of Pre-clinic, School of Veterinary Science, Nangarhar University, Nangarhar, Afghanistan; 2 Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Science, Nangarhar University, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
Najibullah Rahimi Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Science, Nangarhar University, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
Sayed Ziaulhaq Banuree Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Science, Nangarhar University, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
Mohammad Malyar Rahmani Department of Pre-clinic, School of Veterinary Science, Nangarhar University, Nangarhar, Afghanistan; 2 Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Science, Nangarhar University, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v8i1.11763

Keywords: Food insecurity; Prevalence; Predictors; Universities’ lecturers

Abstract

Background: Food security (FS) is a substantial right of human beings and should be addressed in all groups of the society. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity (FI) among university lecturers in Nangarhar province. Methods: 287 university lecturers were selected from public and private universities through stratified random sampling technique. FS was assessed over the past 30 days and through the 10-item short US FS survey module. Data were collected by a well-structured questionnaire in face to face interviews. Results: Results revealed that 55.05% of university lecturers suffered from FI with a higher prevalence among private university lecturers (P = 0.001). Moreover, FI was significantly associated with ethnicity (P = 0.04), education level (P = 0.01), academic position (P = 0.001), monthly income (P = 0.01), and having another job besides being a lecturer (P = 0.001). Furthermore, lecturers between 36-40 year (OR = 0.043, CI = 0.006-0.292, P = 0.001) with a bachelor's degree (OR = 0.130, CI = 0.033-0.518, P = 0.004) had the lowest odds, and those with senior teaching assistant position (OR = 9.350, CI = 3.371-25.932, P < 0.001), and monthly income of less than 350 US dollar (OR = 162.70, CI = 9.315-2841.92, P < 0.001), had greater odds of FI. Conclusion: FI is prevalent among university lecturers. Therefore, prompt interventions should be conducted by relevant departments to minimize the risk of FI among the lecturers.