Department of Biochemistry and Food Analysis, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.
Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh.
Public Health Nutr. 2024 May 23;27(1):e157. doi: 10.1017/S1368980024001137.
Suicidal behaviours among students pose a significant public health concern, with mental health problems being well-established risk factors. However, the association between food insecurity (FIS) and suicidal behaviours remains understudied, particularly in Bangladesh. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between FIS and suicidal behaviours among Bangladeshi university students.
A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted between August 2022 and September 2022. Information related to socio-demographics, mental health problems, FIS and related events and suicidal behaviours were collected. Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression models, both unadjusted and adjusted, were employed to examine the relationship between FIS and suicidal behaviour.
Six public universities in Bangladesh.
This study included 1480 students from diverse academic disciplines.
A substantial proportion of respondents experienced FIS, with 75·5 % reporting low or very low food security. Students experiencing FIS had a significantly higher prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts compared with food-secure students (18·6 % . 2·8 %, 8·7 % . 0·8 % and 5·4 % . 0·3 %, respectively; all < 0·001). In addition, students who have personal debt and participate in food assistance programmes had a higher risk of suicidal behaviours.
This study highlights the association between FIS and suicidal behaviours among university students. Targeted mental health screening, evaluation and interventions within universities may be crucial for addressing the needs of high-risk students facing FIS.
学生的自杀行为是一个重大的公共卫生问题，心理健康问题是公认的风险因素。然而，食物不安全（FIS）与自杀行为之间的关联在孟加拉国仍研究不足。本研究旨在调查 FIS 与孟加拉国大学生自杀行为之间的关系。
2022 年 8 月至 9 月期间，采用便利抽样进行了横断面调查。收集了与社会人口统计学、心理健康问题、FIS 及相关事件和自杀行为相关的信息。采用卡方检验和非调整和调整的多变量逻辑回归模型来检验 FIS 与自杀行为之间的关系。
孟加拉国的六所公立大学。
本研究包括来自不同学科的 1480 名学生。
相当一部分受访者经历了 FIS，其中 75.5%报告食物安全程度低或极低。与食物安全的学生相比，经历 FIS 的学生自杀意念、计划和尝试的发生率显著更高（18.6%、2.8%、8.7%、0.8%和 5.4%、0.3%；均<0.001）。此外，有个人债务和参加食物援助计划的学生自杀行为的风险更高。
本研究强调了大学生中 FIS 与自杀行为之间的关联。在大学内进行有针对性的心理健康筛查、评估和干预措施，可能对解决面临 FIS 的高风险学生的需求至关重要。
