A cross sectional assessment of basic needs insecurity prevalence and associated factors among college students enrolled at a large, public university in the Southeastern U.S

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence of problematic rates of food insecurity among college students, yet few studies have gone beyond this to examine housing insecurity rates or rates of basic need insecurity (BNI), which is defined as having both food and housing insecurity, among the postsecondary population. BNI may have significant impacts on the mental and social health, and academic outcomes of college students, yet remains understudied. The researchers of this study are among the first to assess the prevalence of food insecurity, housing insecurity, and basic needs insecurity among college students enrolled at a large, public university in the Southeast and to identify factors associated with experiencing food, housing, and basic needs insecurity. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted at a large, public university in the Southeast United States. All eligible, enrolled students (n = 23,444) were asked to complete an online survey, 2634 responded (11.2% response rate). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess relationships between demographic and financial factors and the outcomes of interest (food, housing, and basic needs insecurity). RESULTS: High rates of food insecurity (48.5%), housing insecurity (66.1%), and basic needs insecurity (37.1%) were identified. After controlling for confounders, factors that were significantly associated with increased odds of students having basic needs insecurity included previous food insecurity (p < 0.001; Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.36; Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.64–4.28), being employed (p < 0.001, OR = 1.70; CI = 1.34–2.17), not receiving family financial support (p < 0.001, OR = 1.61; CI = 1.30–2.00), and living off-campus (p < 0.001, OR = 1.67; CI = 1.25–2.22). Juniors (p < 0.001, OR = 1.78; CI = 1.31–2.42), seniors (p < 0.001, OR = 2.06; CI = 1.52–2.78), Masters (p = 0.004, OR = 1.68; CI = 1.18–2.40), and PhD or EdD (p = 0.029, OR = 1.55; CI = 1.05–2.31) students were significantly more likely to experience basic needs insecurity than sophomore students. CONCLUSIONS: This research identifies high rates of food, housing, and basic needs insecurity among college students enrolled at a large, public university. Financial factors such as being food insecure prior to attending college, working during college, and not having familial financial support were all related to BNI in this sample. Students who were more advanced in their education experienced more BNI than less advanced students. Innovative interventions with enhanced BNI measures, for example, partnering with financial aid offices to screen and refer students to food resources, are likely needed to address this multi-faceted problem. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12817-6.