ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY, NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (JHS) PUPILS IN THE TOLON DISTRICT OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Baldwin (2006) asserted that food security and insecurity are terms used to describe the extent to which people can obtain an adequate quantity and quality of food. There have been a number of studies that focused on food insecurity and its impact on the nutritional status of children and adolescents but very few studies expanded their scope to cover the impact of the household food insecurity on educational outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the association between food insecurity, nutritional status, and academic performance of JHS pupils. The design of the study was a cross-sectional study design. The sample size was 220 pupils and their households. The individual and the household food insecurity experience scale (FIES) questionnaire was administered to pupils and their households, respectively through face to face interviews. Anthropometric measurements of children were also taken using Seca-scale and stadiometer. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS and WHO Anthro Plus. Descriptive statistics were done for all the socio-demographic variables, nutritional status, and food insecurity variables. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the relationship between individual food insecurity status and household food insecurity status. Moreover, linear regression models were conducted to determine the relationship between covariates, school attendance, and academic performance. Further, binary logistic regression models were also used to assess associations of covariates with stunting and underweight. For all the tests of associations, a P-value of 0.050 or less was considered statistically significant. The overall underweight prevalence was 11.3%. The percentage of overweight was 2.3%. The total prevalence of stunting among the study participants was 17.7%. Many of the households were moderately food insecure with a prevalence of 80 (36.4%). Also, 34.1% of the households were severely food insecure and 29.5% of the households were food secured. Overall, 145 (65.9%) of the pupils were either moderately or severely food insecure. Based on the chi square analysis, there was a significant relationship between household food insecurity status and individual food insecurity status (P<0.001). Both household and Individual Food insecurity variables were not associated with nutritional status and academic performance of the pupils. Surprisingly, there was a positive relationship between severe individual food insecurity status and school attendance [Beta (β) = 10.39; Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.44-19.34; Statistical significance (P) = 0.023] thus, upon the adjustments for the effects of other covariates. Thus, the severe individual food insecurity status however had a positive relationship on attendance but not performance and nutritional status. Hence, household food insecurity status was not significantly associated with nutritional status and academic performance. I suggest that, family support and poverty alleviation programmes be rolled by government of Ghana, to curb the negative impact of food insecurity on households and individuals.