Examining the effects of household food insecurity on school absenteeism among Junior High School students: findings from the 2012 Ghana global school-based student health survey

This study examined the effects of household food insecurity on school absenteeism among Junior High School students in Ghana. Data for this study were drawn from the 2012 Ghana Global School-based Health Survey. A sample of 1,121 students aged 11–18 years were analyzed using binary logistic regression with school absenteeism as the outcome variable. Of the 1,121 students examined, more than half (58.1%) were from food insecure households and 39.8% missed school without permission during the past 30 days. Adjustng for multiple predictors, students from food insecure households had 1.56 times higher odds of missing school without permission relative to those from food secure households. Other predictors of school absenteeism include being a victim of bullying, being involved in fighting in school, feeling lonely, history of suicidal ideation, alcohol use, and illicit substance use. Parental support had a protective effect on school absenteeism such that, for each additional increase in parental support score, the odds of school absenteeism were predicted to decrease by 4%. Addressing both distal and structural drivers of food insecurity is critical in reducing school absenteeism and improving student enrollment and school attendance.