Factors Associated with Food Insecurity Among Health Sciences Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This web-based survey explored factors associated with food insecurity (FI) among health sciences students during the COVID-19 pandemic. FI was assessed using the USDA 6-item tool. Multivariable logistic regression was used for data analyses. Of the 816 respondents, 74.7% were female and 22.1% were food insecure. An annual income of <$25,000, housing instability, use of a food pantry over the past 12 months, and receiving financial support from family were independently associated with increased odds of being food insecure even after adjusting for other covariates. Further research exploring FI screening and interventions among health sciences university students is needed.