Is hunger associated with truancy among in-school adolescents in Tanzania? Evidence from the 2015 Global School-based Health Survey

Abstract

In this study, we examined the prevalence and determinants of truancy among adolescents in Tanzania, using data from the Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS). In a cross-sectional study, 3,048 adolescents were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 14.2 for MAC OS. The association between the independent variables and truancy was assessed using binary logistic regression modelling. The results from the logistic regression analysis were presented as odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs).The statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The prevalence of truancy was 25.7% (25.5% males and 26.0% females). In the multivariable analysis, we found that those who experienced hunger had higher odds to be truants (AOR = 1.436, CI = 1.186,1.739) compared to those who did not. In addition, adolescents who engaged in fighting (AOR = 1.615, CI = 1.330,1.960), those who were attacked (AOR = 1.334, CI = 1.118,1.592), and those who felt lonely (AOR = 1.872, CI = 1.564,2.240) had higher odds to be truants. However, those in form 1 (AOR = 0.462, CI = 0.327,0.654) had lower odds to to be truants compared to those in grades 6 and 7. Prevalence of truancy was relatively high and was associated with hunger, grade, fighting, being attacked, and feeling lonely. There is a need to design school-based intervention such as school feeding initiatives aimed at reducing hunger among Tanzanian primary and secondary school students, and to tackle other predisposing factors, such as loneliness, through counselling. The school authorities should also address attacks and fighting through the enforcement of strict controls to aid in the reduction of truancy.