Food insecurity and psychosocial behaviour among undergraduate students in Public Universities in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate food insecurity and psychosocial behaviour among undergraduates in public Universities in Cross River State, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, one hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. The literature review was done according to the variable under study. A correlational survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 403 respondents was used for the study. The selection was done through the stratified random sampling technique. The questionnaire titled Food insecurity and Psychosocial Behaviour Questionnaire (FlPBQ) was the main instrument used for data collection. The instrument was subjected to face and content validity by a supervisor and two experts in the Department of Educational Foundations. The instrument was also assessed by two experts in Measurement and Evaluation, at the University of Calabar, Calabar who vetted the items for face and content validity. The reliability estimate of the instrument was established through the Cronbach alpha reliability method. The reliability estimate ranges from .76 -.84 Population t-test and Regression Analysis was the statistical analysis technique adopted to test the hypothesis under study. This statistical tool was used because of the nature of the variable involved in the study. The hypothesis was subjected to testing at a .05 level of significance with relative degrees of freedom. The results of the analysis revealed that food insecurity significantly predicted the psychosocial behaviour of undergraduates in public Universities in Cross River State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that implement or expand food assistance programs on campus, such as food banks or meal programs for students facing food insecurity. Collaborate with local food banks and community organizations to provide resources.