Prevalence and factors associated with food security status amongst youths of 18 to 30 years in Moroto district, Karamoja region of Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background Nearly two billion people worldwide are affected with moderate to severe food insecurity, while over 820 million people go hungry. In Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 30% of people were severely food insecure in 2020. Youth in Karamoja face challenges of food security, including limited access to land, credit, education, and employment. Despite the region’s high food insecurity rates, there is limited evidence on the prevalence and determinants of food security among youth in Moroto district. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of food security among youths (18 to 30 years) in Moroto. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using systematic random sampling to recruit 744 youths aged 18 to 30 years. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using an administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 29 with both descriptive and inferential statistics. Variables were summarized as means with standard deviations, frequencies, and proportions. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors, with significance level set at p = 0.2. Regression assumptions and model fitness were assessed for multiple logistic regression. Results The demographic results show that, majority of the respondents 472 (63.4%) were female, and 471 (63.3%) with no formal education. All the households were either moderately food insecure 104 (13.98%) or severely food insecure 640 (86.02%). The factors associated with food security were none formal education (AOR: 0.187, 95% CI: 0.049–0.722, p = 0.015), presence of agriculture extension services (AOR: 0.341, 95% CI: 0.201–0.576, p < 0.001), having a backyard garden (AOR: 0.480, 95% CI: 0.247–0.934, p = 0.031), common food taboos (AOR: 0.480, 95% CI: 0.279–0.825, p = 0.008) and borrowing food (AOR: 3.858, 95% CI: 2.250–6.615, p < 0.001). Conclusion This study revealed that all households in the region are food insecure. Therefore, there is a critical need for targeted interventions to address this issue and support the younger population's nutritional needs, through active involvement in the food production and food system value chain. The results from this study is expected to support local/ national policy development and intervention which will eventually contribute to a sustainable agricultural production practices and improved livelihood amongst the youth in Karamoja region.