Abstract

ESSA, AY; SHAIK, S  and  KIMMIE-DHANSAY, F. The prevalence of food insecurity in South African dental schools: A cross-sectional study. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2023, vol.78, n.8, pp.394-400. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sadj.v78i08.16242.

BACKGROUND: Food security is an important factor which can promote academic outcomes and general health and wellbeing of dental students. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of food insecurity among dental students across all dental schools in South Africa METHODOLOGY: An online cross-sectional survey was adapted and modified from the United States Department of Agriculture Community Food Security Assessment toolkit and disseminated to the four dental schools/faculties in South Africa. Food insecurity was determined using a pre-specified questionnaire on food insecurity. The sample size was determined based on a previous study. Categorical variables were displayed as frequencies and percentages and associations were determined using a Chi-squared test and a Fishers' Exact test. A simple and multiple logistic regression was run to determine the strength and direction of associations with food insecurity with other variables of interest using backward elimination and a likelihood ratio test RESULTS: The study consisted of 210 participants. The median age was 21 [IQR:21-22] years. Most of the students were from UWC (53.5%, n=113). There were more females than males in the study. Almost 90% (89.1%, n=187) of dental students felt food insecure in some form or other DISCUSSION: Food insecurity is prevalent among oral healthcare students and requires intervention from stakeholders such as the universities, government and various role players to aid in the eradication thereof CONCLUSION: Food insecurity among dental students in South Africa is at an all-time high. This paper provides evidence that can inform stakeholders of the necessity to improve student access to food at dental schools in South Africa

Keywords : Food insecurity; dental students; higher education; South Africa; undergraduate dental.

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