Sam Houston State University, School of Nursing, 3380 College Park Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77384, United States of America.
Louisiana Tech University, School of Human Ecology, 603 Dan Reneau Dr, Ruston, LA 71272, United States of America.
J Prof Nurs. 2021 Mar-Apr;37(2):249-254. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2020.12.015. Epub 2020 Dec 29.
Food insecurity, the limited or uncertain availability of food, is reported in college students, but little is known about its prevalence in nursing students. Nursing students have extensive required clinical hours limiting their ability to work and spend money on academic and living expenses before spending on food.
To estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and characterize its relationship to social support and first-generation status among nursing students at a public university.
A cross-sectional survey study design was used to assess food security and social support in full-time nursing students (n=55).
The prevalence of food insecurity reported by the survey respondents was 60%. Statistically significant correlations between food security and social support scores were found; as food security worsened, so did social support. Food-insecure students had lower grade point averages, and first-generation students (p=.001) reported food insecurity more frequently than did other participants.
Findings support that food insecurity is negatively associated with academic performance, and level of social support may impact food insecurity in nursing students. Nursing programs should consider early assessments of cohorts to increase the potential for early intervention with food-insecure students. Collaboration with university-based food pantries and student engagement in hunger initiatives through the Student Nurses Association can support early interventions.
食物不安全，即食物的有限或不确定供应，在大学生中有所报道，但鲜少有研究关注护理专业学生中食物不安全的流行率。护理专业的学生有广泛的临床实习要求，这限制了他们在支付学术和生活费用之前工作和花钱购买食物的能力。
评估一所公立大学护理专业学生中食物不安全的流行率，并描述其与社会支持和第一代大学生身份的关系。
采用横断面调查研究设计评估全日制护理专业学生（n=55）的食物安全和社会支持情况。
调查对象报告的食物不安全流行率为 60%。食物安全和社会支持评分之间存在统计学显著相关性；随着食物安全状况恶化，社会支持也随之下降。食物不安全的学生平均绩点较低，第一代大学生（p=.001）比其他参与者更频繁地报告食物不安全。
研究结果表明，食物不安全与学业成绩呈负相关，社会支持水平可能会影响护理专业学生的食物不安全状况。护理项目应考虑对学生群体进行早期评估，以增加对食物不安全学生进行早期干预的可能性。与大学食品储藏室合作，并通过学生护士协会让学生参与饥饿问题倡议，可以支持早期干预。
