Comparison of the health-promoting lifestyles of nursing and non-nursing students in Istanbul, Turkey

Exploring the relationship between contextual factors and health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP) among medical students: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP) among medical students and contextual factors such as gender, age, field of study, academic level, marital status, history of physical and mental illnesses, and smoking.

Methods

The present research was conducted in a cross-sectional method in 2021 on 500 students of Shiraz University of Medical Students. An e-questionnaire link was sent to them via email. The research tool was the HPLP questionnaire consisting of 52 questions in six domains in a 4-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24 with one-sample t-test, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Tukey's post hoc test.

Results

A total of 500 students fully answered the questions completely. All components of a healthy lifestyle-except for exercise-obtained a score higher than the cut-off point. The component of Self-Actualization (spiritual growth) (3.035 ± 0.68) had the highest score, while the lowest score was related to exercise and physical activity (2.126 ± 0.60). Married individuals had a better average health score compared to singles (p = 0.047). The average health score did not have a significant relationship with gender, but significantly related to age, field of study (p < 0.001), history of mental illnesses (p < 0.001) and Smoking (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

It seems that university officials should pay more attention to the health domain of students' lifestyles, such as nutrition, the development of exercise and physical activities, and the management of stress and mental health. Additionally, providing necessary awareness and considering training courses, as well as developing sports and recreational facilities, can be effective in creating a better environment for the growth and development of students and ensuring their well-being.

Do health-promoting lifestyle approaches manage mental health among adolescent/young college students?

OBJECTIVES

College students are often still relatively young, making their mental health more likely to be overlooked. A healthy lifestyle is considered the key to preventing and controlling mental health problems nowadays. This study aimed to investigate whether health-promoting lifestyle approaches manage mental health among adolescent/young college students.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 adolescent/young college students at Babol Medical Science University, Babol, Iran. Characteristic demographics, health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP), and general health questionnaire-28(GHQ-28) were filled out by students. The data were analyzed using correlation coefficient and simple and multiple linear regressions.

RESULTS

The majority of participants were adolescents (66.8%), single (97.9%), and bachelor's students (70.1%). The mean of the HPLP and GHQ scores was 125.09±18.12, and 33.58±10.50, respectively. HPLP was a negative significant predictor of mental health (β = -.261, P= .0001). There was a negative significant association between HPLP dimensions (except physical activity) and mental health. After adjusting for other variables, there was a significant relationship between HPLP with mother occupation (β =.186, P=.038), and mother education (β = -.219, P= .034). Furthermore, gender (β = .175, P= .031), and occupation (β =-.157, P= .040) were predictors of GHQ in adolescent/young college students.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding the health-promoting lifestyle situation among students and its relation with the better mental health, the design and implementation of HPLP education programs is recommended.

Differences between Health and Non-Health Science Students in Lifestyle Habits, Perceived Stress and Psychological Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to investigate lifestyle habits in health and non-health science students from the University of Split, Croatia, and to evaluate their association with perceived stress and psychological well-being. We surveyed 783 students during February-March 2021. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used in the analysis. Health science students spent less time using screens, were sitting less, slept less, but also showed better compliance with the Mediterranean diet compared to non-health science students (10.6% vs. 5.9%). There were no differences in stress and well-being perception between the two study groups. Female gender, lack of sleep, less daily sitting time, anxiety, and lower optimism were associated with higher stress in non-health science students, while anxiousness and more sitting were found to be significant among health students. Well-being among health science students was positively associated with BMI, having had COVID-19, being refreshed after waking up during working days, Mediterranean diet adherence, health perception, optimism, and quality of life, and negatively with TV time and anxiousness. Shorter sleep duration on non-working days, feeling refreshed after waking up on non-working days, higher quality of life and optimism, and lower anxiousness were associated with higher well-being among non-health students. Identifying unhealthy lifestyle habits in students is essential for implementing targeted interventions to better their health outcomes.

Addressing nutritional issues and eating behaviours among university students: a narrative review

University life is a critical period for establishing healthy eating habits and attitudes. However, university students are at risk of developing poor eating habits due to various factors, including economic conditions, academic stress and lack of information about nutritional concepts. Poor diet quality leads to malnutrition or overnutrition, increasing the risk of preventable diseases. Food environments on university campuses also play a significant role in shaping the dietary habits of students, with the availability of and accessibility to healthy food options being important factors influencing food choices and overall diet quality. Disordered eating habits and body dissatisfaction are prevalent among university students and can lead to eating disorders. Income and living arrangements also influence dietary habits, with low household income and living alone being associated with unhealthy eating habits. This study is a narrative review that aimed to address nutritional issues and eating behaviours, specifically among university students. We investigated the eating behaviours of university students, including their dietary patterns, food choices and food environments. The objective of this review was to provide insights into the nutritional issues and eating behaviours of university students, with the aim of identifying target areas for intervention to improve the overall health and wellbeing among college students. University food environments need to be restructured to promote healthy eating, including the availability, accessibility, affordability and labelling of healthy foods, and policies to limit the availability of unhealthy foods and drinks on campus.

Which educational messengers do medical students prefer for receiving healthinformation? Development and psychometrics of using health messengers questionnaire

INTRODUCTION

Individuals vary in their selection of health messengers. This research aimed to construct an instrument to measure the preferences of medical students in selecting health messengers and in the next step to validate the aforementioned questionnaire.

METHOD

This research is a descriptive survey with an approach to construct a questionnaire. The statistical population included all students studying at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in March to June 2022 in the academic year 2021-2022. 500 participants were involved in the study. To determine the types of health messengers and review the texts, a group of 15 primary items consisting of the 6 components of academic sources (2-items), formal news sources (2-items), mass media (3-items), internet search (2-items), social networks and messenger applications (4-items), and informal conversation (2-items) were compiled. A 4-point scale was developed the content validity of which was confirmed using CVI and CVR method and the reliability index was calculated to be 0.818. Factor analysis was also used to determine the construct validity and factor loading of each item.

RESULTS

The research covers university students in different medical fields. Using factor analysis, together with KMO = 0.810 and Bartlett's sphericity index P < 0.0001, saturation and the suitability of the test were confirmed. Students' preferences based on factor load were social media (28.92%), official and unofficial health sources(10.76%), academic sources (9.08%), internet search (8.18%), and mass media (7.13%), respectively. Among social media, Telegram (0.85) had the highest factor load followed by Instagram (0.79), and WhatsApp (0.71).

CONCLUSION

Medical students are always on the move and naturally prioritize mobile-based methods. They prefer messengers that are free from time and space restrictions. The widespread availability of mobile devices and the ability to search for and access information make it easier to test health information. Therefore, in health policy, attention should be paid to the virtual capabilities, especially mobile-based approaches.

Assessment of food consumption, smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity by sex and major of study among a sample of college students in Jordan

This study aimed to assess the food frequency and health-related risk behaviors based on gender and major of study (health and non-health majors) in a sample of undergraduate university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 708 undergraduate university students (37.4% males; 62.6% females) with a mean age of 20.88(SD = 2.20), ranging from 18 to 37 years from five universities. A self-reported questionnaire was administered in the university classrooms to collect data. Results showed that 47.3% of students reported consuming fruits and vegetables (38.1%), and 54% reported consuming unhealthy foods at least once in the preceding 24 h. About 16% of the students were cigarette smokers, 17% were waterpipe smokers, and slightly more than 4% were alcohol consumers. Significant associations were found between the participants based on their sexes, and study majors (P < 0.001). Male students smoked and consumed alcohol at significantly higher rates than female students. As with regards to the physical activity in the preceding week, students had not carried out any stretching activities (52.8%), strengthening activities (62.4%), cycling (35%), or taken part in any physical activity classes (68.4%). The rates of physical activity were significantly higher among male students than female students (p < 0.001). The results showed that non-health major students differ from those in health majors in the consumption of cigarettes (p < 0.001) and waterpipe smoking (p = 0.027). Students in non-health majors were more likely than students in health majors to have carried out stretching activities (p = 0.021) and participated in physical activity classes (p = 0.02). Our findings highlighted the importance of identifying health-related risk behaviors among university students to develop a health-promoting intervention tailored to a specific group of students considering their sex and study majors.

The moderating role of resilience in the relationship between peer pressure and risky behaviors among nursing students

PURPOSE

To examine the moderating role of resilience in the relationship between peer pressure and risky behaviors among nursing students.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional correlational study carried out with 512 students.

FINDINGS

The mean age was 20.90 ± 1.66. Of the students, 82.4% were females 99.0% were single, 71.5% had moderate socioeconomic status. While peer pressure directly made an effect on whole subdimensions for risky behaviors (p < 0.001), resilience had an effect on antisocial behavior, dropout, eating habits, and suicidal tendency (p < 0.001). Moderation was supported as the relationship between peer pressure and substance use varied by resilience level (p < 0.001). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Students with high levels of resilience are less prone to exhibit some risky behaviors based on peer pressure. Resilience-building strategies should be incorporated into the curriculum.

Health-Promoting Behaviors among Nursing Students: Palestinian Perspective

The purpose of this study is to assess the health-promoting lifestyle behaviors of nursing students at Arab American University Palestine, Palestine. A cross-sectional design was used, 350 participants filled the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. The total HPLP score was 138.57 ± 22. Spiritual growth had the highest mean and physical activity had the lowest subscale. A significant relationship between the age of students and the sub-scales of stress management as well as physical activity. However, gender and spiritual growth subscale differed significantly. Also, there was a significant difference between students’ year level and physical activity. University administrators and staff should provide guidance to progress with more actual strategies to improve nursing students’ health-promoting behaviors.

Health-promoting lifestyle and its association with the academic achievements of medical students in Saudi Arabia

Objective:

This study aimed to assess health-promoting lifestyles among university medical students and to investigate whether such lifestyles are associated with students’ academic achievement.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive investigative study was performed on 576 medical college students of King Saud University (KSU) in March 2019. Data were collected using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) scale, which includes six dimensions (health responsibility, spiritual growth, physical activity, interpersonal relationships, nutrition, and stress management). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results:

A mean score of 3.39 for total health-promoting behaviors was reported. The highest mean score was reported for spiritual growth (3.75) and the lowest was reported for health responsibility (3.23). The mean body mass index (BMI) of the students was 24.9 ± 6.4 kg/m². An analysis of variance identified an association between a student’s GPA and the spiritual growth dimension (P = 0.014). Based on the Pearson matrix correlation coefficient, there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between the HPLP II dimensions (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Since the HPLP scores were good, there is a need to enhance and promote healthy behaviors in students. The BMI data indicated that one-third of male students were overweight or obese; thus, health program planning, particularly involving physical activity and nutrition, is recommended.

Lifestyle choices of Brazilian college students

Background

Lifestyle choices reflect the beliefs that individuals attribute to aspects of life. This construct can be assessed with the Individual Lifestyle Profile (PEVI) questionnaire, which measures elements of Nutrition, Physical Activity, Preventive Behaviors, Social Relationships and Stress Management.

Objective

The objective of this study was to estimate the psychometric properties of the PEVI applied to a sample of Brazilian university students, identifying the prevalence of each lifestyle component according to participants’ age, sex, weight status, course area/field and economic stratum and to estimate the contribution of these characteristics on physical and psychological lifestyle.

Methods

The PEVI data was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis, using the indexes chi-square per degrees of freedom ratio (χ²/df), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). First-order and second-order models (physical and psychological lifestyle) were tested. Prevalences of lifestyle components were calculated and compared by participants’ age, sex, weight status, course area/field and economic stratum. A hypothetical causal structural model was elaborated to investigate the impact of sample characteristics on physical and psychological lifestyles. This model was evaluated considering the global fit to the data (χ²/df, CFI, TLI and RMSEA) and the hypothetical causal trajectories (β) (α = 5%).

Results

A sample of 1,303 students was used. The mean age was 20.9 (standard deviation = 2.8) years, 66.8% of participants were females, 63.4% had weights in the normal range and 73.7% were students of the social and exact sciences. The PEVI data showed an adequate fit for both the first- (χ²/df = 2.03, CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.04) and second-order (χ²/df = 2.25; CFI = 0.97; TLI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.04) models. There was a higher prevalence of unfavorable physical and psychological lifestyle choices among females, among underweight and obese individuals, in older students and in those with lower economic strata. Moreover, negative behaviors in physical lifestyle were more prevalent in students from human/social/exact sciences and worse psychological lifestyle was observed among health sciences students. These results were confirmed by a structural model.

Conclusion

The PEVI data presented validity and reliability. Negative lifestyle choices had high prevalence among students. Moreover, individual characteristics had different impact on physical and psychological lifestyle choices.

Health literacy level and influencing factors in university students

Health literacy (HL) competencies vary across different health domains, and so the youth HL level plays an important role in access to healthcare. The aim of this study was to determine HL levels, the factors that affect it and health-promoting lifestyle behaviours of university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 905 students in nursing, law and Islamic sciences departments. An introductory information form, European Health Literacy Scale and Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors Scale were used to collect research data. The results showed that 45% of the students had a problematic HL level. Each subscale of the HL scale exhibited a significant positive correlation with the subscales of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors scale. Logistic regression showed that gender and health education were significantly associated with the HL level. We recommend increasing awareness regarding health liability and integrating HL notions into the higher education curriculum.

Comparison of health-promoting lifestyle behaviours between female students majoring in healthcare and non-healthcare fields in KSA

Objective

University students are considered to be at a critical stage of their lives. As members of the young generation, they tend to adopt unhealthy behaviours. These behaviours can adversely impact their health. Level of health promotion is a significant determinant of health status. This study compared healthy lifestyle habits of female university students enrolled in health-related (previously published) and non-health-related (present study) programmes in the KSA to identify variations and associations between such habits and demographic characteristics.

Methods

A cross-sectional study, using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) questionnaire, was conducted on third- and fourth-year non-health profession female students (n = 411). The data were compared with previously published data on female health profession students (n = 249).

Results

A low overall HPLP-II score of 2.39 ± .358 with significant variation between the two groups was observed (p < .05). Significant correlations (p < .05) were found between the total and domain scores by demographic variables. The non-health group had significantly more frequent engagement in physical activity than the health group, who showed better health responsibility, spiritual growth, and interpersonal relation practices. Decline of spiritual growth in non-health group and poor stress management in health group were also found.

Conclusions

Low overall HPLP-II scores in both groups, with the highest mean score in spiritual growth and lowest in physical health, reflect the current attitude of the young generation. The introduction of a ‘wellbeing and health curriculum’ with adequate support from the physical environment and a culture that promotes physical wellbeing is needed.

The Relationship Between Health-Promoting Lifestyle and Its Related Factors with Self-Efficacy and Well-Being of Students

Objectives

Unhealthy lifestyles among young people are seriously related to incapacity and health problems in adulthood. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of a health-promoting lifestyle and its association with self-efficacy and well-being.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 500 students from Shahroud University of Medical Sciences (Shahroud, Iran) were randomly selected in 2017. The Persian versions of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, Self-Efficacy Scale, and WHO-5 Well-Being Index were used.

Results

Among the participants, 34% of students had an abnormal imaginable well-being, and 68% of students had high self-efficacy. The mean score of a health-promoting lifestyle was 127.47 ± 19.78, which is interpreted as moderate, and the mean score of physical activity was 14.10 ± 4.95, which is poor. There was a significant relationship between well-being, and self-efficacy with health-promoting lifestyle. Age, gender, educational level, place of residence, student employment, self-efficacy, and well-being were associated with students' lifestyles.

Conclusion

A health-promoting lifestyle of students in this study was moderate and they did not have an acceptable level of physical activity. The direct effect of well-being, and self-efficacy on lifestyle, revising students' curriculums to improve their health behaviors, and general health indicators, can all lead to the enhancement of health-promoting lifestyles.

Factors associated with preventive behaviors in the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in Korean nursing students

This study was performed to investigate the factors associated with preventive behaviors in the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in Korean nursing students. Knowledge was found to be an important variable in eliciting preventive behaviors in antibiotic overuse and misuse; however, information in one's family or personal medical history negatively affected such behaviors. Preventive behaviors in the overuse and misuse of antibiotics are important for nursing students, as future health professionals.

Health-promoting lifestyle profile and associated factors among medical students in a Saudi university

Objectives:

Health promotion is the main strategy for encouraging people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and for preventing non-communicable diseases. Medical students, in particular, are expected to have an important role in health promotion in their near future as physicians. The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate all six components of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile and its sociodemographic determinants among medical students.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in January 2018 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire used in this study consisted of two parts: the first part included sociodemographic questions and body mass index measurement and the second part consisted of questions from the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II.

Results:

The study enrolled 243 medical students, of which 55.1% were male, 39.5% were in their fifth year, and more than half had a monthly family income above 20,000 Saudi Riyal. The mean body mass index of the respondents was 25.1 ± 5.2 (range = 13.7–43.8). The total mean score of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II was 123.8 ± 19.8 (range = 72–191). Study findings showed that health-promoting profiles differed by gender, particularly with respect to physical activity and interpersonal relationships. Factors were found to be associated with the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II subscales, including income and year of study.

Conclusions:

University students, and in particular health science students, represent an appropriate area for health promotion interventions to be established.

Comparison of health behaviors among students of Iranian medical and human sciences universities

Background and aim

Health risk behaviors are major and threatening problems of societies. The aim of this study was to determine and compare health behaviors among students of Iranian medical and human sciences universities.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 570 senior medical and human sciences students of Ilam universities (Ilam, Iran) were selected during the period between October 2015 and October 2016, using the stratified random sampling method. The research tool was the self-assessment health questionnaire which consists of personal information, understanding the concept of health and health behaviors. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U, independent samples t-test and Pearson product-moment correlation tests were used in SPSS version 16.

Results

The scores obtained by both groups of medical sciences and human sciences students were low. There was no significant relationship between field of study and the score of understanding the concept of health (p=0.289); but the relationship between field of study and the score on health behaviors (p=0.001) and between health behaviors and understanding the concept of health were significant for both the students of medicine (r=0.259, p=0.01) and the students of human sciences (r=0.493, p=0.001).

Conclusion

Students' health behaviors were not at a desirable level. Conducting interventions in the form of research projects have been recommended.

Health-promoting behaviors in nursing students: is it related to self-efficacy for health practices and academic achievement?

Background Nursing students play a role in promotion of public health as health promoters and professional care providers. Therefore, health-promoting behaviors in nursing students and their self-efficacy for health practices are important in providing better services to patients and clients. With regard to the importance of these factors in the academic progress of students, this study was conducted to examine the level of health-promoting behaviors among nursing students and its relationship with self-efficacy for health practices and academic achievement. Methods This descriptive and correlational study was conducted on 217 nursing students of a large university of medical sciences in the south of Iran in 2016. Data were collected using the Persian version of the health promotion lifestyle profile (HPLP II), self-rated abilities for health practices scale (SRAHPS) and the grade point average of the students (levels A, B, C). Results The mean health-promoting behaviors (2.48 ± 0.35) and self-efficacy for health practices of the students (2.55 ± 0.62) were moderate. The mean score of the students' academic achievement was at level B (16.02 ± 1.85). The health-promoting behaviors were significantly correlated with self-efficacy for health practices (r = 0.623, p < 0.0001) and academic achievement (r = 0.285, p < 0.0001). Moreover, self-efficacy for health practices was significantly correlated with academic achievement (r = 0.282, p < 0.0001). Conclusion The correlation between the health-promoting behaviors and health self-efficacy with academic achievement can be a good basis in devising health and educational programs for students. In planning for promoting academic achievement and health-promoting behaviors of students, it is essential to pay special attention to enhancement of self-efficacy for health practices.

Health Promotion Behaviors and Its Predictors Among the College Students in Iran

The health-promoting behaviors form typically during adolescence and youth. This study was conducted to determine the status of the health-promoting behaviors in the students of Babol University of Medical Sciences and its predictors. This cross-sectional study was done on 350 students from April 2016 to July 2016. The applied questionnaires were health-promoting lifestyle profile II, general self-efficacy scale, and sociodemographic variables. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software by descriptive tests, one-way analysis of variance, and multivariable linear regression. The mean total health-promoting lifestyle profile II score was 126.79 ± 19.28. In the subscales, the participants scored the highest in interpersonal relations (24.62 ± 4.59) and the lowest in physical activity (16.53 ± 4.17). Analyses of the data showed that there was a significant association among some subscales of health-promoting behaviors and gender, family size, living in dormitory and also showed that self-efficacy remained as significant factor in relation to all subscales of health-promoting behaviors.

Health-promoting lifestyle and quality of life among Chinese nursing students

Aim

This study aimed to examine the relationships between socio-economic status, health-promoting lifestyles, and quality of life among Chinese nursing students.

Background

Nursing students will be future health promoters, but they may not always adopt the recommended healthy lifestyle. Currently, there are insufficient studies examining the health-promoting lifestyles of Chinese nursing students, and the impact of socio-economic status and health-promoting lifestyle on their health.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected from nursing students studying in pre-registration nursing programs of a university in Hong Kong. The survey was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire that solicited information regarding their socio-economic status, health-promoting lifestyle, quality of life, and perceptions of the barriers to adopting a health-promoting lifestyle.

Findings

A total of 538 students returned completed questionnaires for analysis. Among the health-promoting lifestyle subscales, the participants performed best in interpersonal relations and worst in physical activity, and the vast majority of them did not actively engage in health-risk behaviors. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that only 5% of the variance in quality of life was explained by socio-economic variables, whereas a total of 24% of the variance was explained when health-promoting lifestyle variables were added. In particular, health responsibility, physical activity, spiritual growth, and stress management were statistically significant predictors of quality of life.

Conclusions

Early concerns about how prepared nurses are to take on the role of promoting health still apply today. School administrators should plan the nursing curriculum to include activities that encourage student nurses to participate in health-promoting lifestyles. Future studies are needed to explore the barriers that prevent students from practicing health-promoting behavior.

Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors among nurses in private hospitals in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

An individual's lifestyle influences health, and health-promoting behaviors and a healthy lifestyle are crucial means to maintain health. Nurses play a significant role as models in health-promoting activities.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the current health-promoting lifestyle of nurses in private hospitals and investigate possible associations between health behaviors and demographic characteristics.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 420 nurses were assessed using the Health-Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II) scale as a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

The mean age of about 78% women and 22% men was 33.12±8.52 years. Most of them (98%) were non-Saudi, and 50% had a diploma; 38% had 5-10 years of experience, 50% were married, 49% had children, and 64% had a monthly income of less than 3000 Saudi Riyal. 'Spiritual growth' showed the highest mean score and 'physical activity' showed the lowest mean score. Significant differences in nurses' health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and significant correlations were found between the HPLP-II and demographic variables.

CONCLUSION

Nurses' display of health responsibility, nutrition, interpersonal relations, and stress management behaviors was moderate. Although their physical activity was low, their spiritual growth was high. For older, married, and those nurses whose monthly income was more than 3000 Saudi Riyal, the nutrition score was higher. Age, marital, and economic status were associated significantly with nutritional health behavior.

RECOMMENDATION

Development and training programs should be performed to raise awareness of the importance of health education and health promotion, and the necessary facilities should be provided at the work place to encourage healthy behavior.

“Adaptación española de la escala HPLP-II con una muestra de empleados”

Antecedentes: Los estilos de vida tienen una gran influencia en la salud laboral de los trabajadores. En este contexto, el objetivo planteado fue la adaptación al castellano de la Escala HPLP-II de Walker and Hill-Polerecky en población trabajadora. Los factores que mide la escala original son 6 y se corresponden con Actividad física, Crecimiento espiritual, Manejo del estrés, Nutrición, Relaciones interpersonales y Responsabilidad hacia la salud. Método: Los participantes han sido 513 trabajadores (48,1 % hombres, 51,9 % mujeres), obtenidos mediante un muestreo no probabilístico. Se han utilizado los programas FACTOR (versión 7.2) y SPSS 20.0. Resultados: En la escala HPLP-II, los resultados apoyan una solución de cuatro factores reduciéndose el número de ítems de 52 a 48, presentando una fiabilidad adecuada (Responsabilidad hacia la salud = .81, Actividad física = .86, Nutrición = .70 y Crecimiento espiritual y relaciones interpersonales = .88) e indicios de validez con: MBI-GS, Autoeficacia, Satisfacción con la Vida y Engagement. Conclusiones: Las Escala HPLP-II es un instrumento fiable y válido, adecuado para ser usado en español.

Factors associated with greater potential for alcohol misuse among the students of the Gorenjska region

Introduction: Excessive alcohol consumption can stem from different biological, social, environmental, or psychological factors (e.g. peer influence, desire to be accepted within a social group, family history with alcohol addiction, availability of alcohol beverages, poor academic performance, low self-image, etc.). The aim of study was to determine the risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among the undergraduate students in the Gorenjska region. Methods: A quantitative non-experimental method of research was employed. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The purposive sample consisted of 328 first-year undergraduate students in the Gorenjska region. The research was conducted in May, October and November 2012. The data obtained were analysed using the descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The greatest influence on drinking frequency for better sociability and relaxation has the average educational attainment in the last year of secondary education (β = 0.168, p = 0.002). The following factors were identified to have a statistically significant impact on the frequency of alcohol consumption during leisure time: friendship (β = 0.131, p = 0.029), frequent socializing with friends (β = 0.127, p = 0.035), support of the family when in distress (β = - 0. 183, p = 0.001) and the average academic achievement in the last year of secondary education (β = 0.098, p = 0.043). Discussion and conclusion: The risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among the students in the Gorenjska region are mainly social (lack of family support, peer pressure) and personal (low self-image, poor academic achievement and leisure time). Characteristics of the study participants in relation to alcohol consumption do not differ from the rest of the younger population.

Predictors of Health Behaviors in Turkish Female Nursing Students

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the health behaviors of Turkish female baccalaureate nursing students and to examine the impact of sociodemographic and health-related factors and their mothers' health behaviors on the health behaviors of nursing students.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 337 nursing students and 337 mothers. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires that included a personal information form, the Perception of Health Scale and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II). Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, Student's t test, Pearson's correlation coefficients and linear regression analysis were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The total HPLP-II mean score of the students was 131.98 ± 17.15 (item M = 2.61, SD = 0.33). Among the subscales of the HPLP-II, the spiritual growth had the highest mean subscale score, followed by the interpersonal relations subscale, while the physical activity had the lowest mean subscale score. Significant predictors of health behaviors of the students were school year (unstandardized β = .09, p = .012), total score for the Perception of Health Scale (unstandardized β = .02, p < .001), and the mothers' total HPLP-II score (unstandardized β = .33, p < .001), after controlling for specific variables.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the students who were attending the first-year program, those with higher levels of perceptions of health and those whose mothers had better health behaviors were more likely to have better health behaviors. The results of this study emphasize the importance of making culturally appropriate interventions by taking into account the factors contributing to the health behaviors of nursing students.

Health promoting lifestyle behaviour in medical students: a multicentre study from Turkey

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of health promoting lifestyle behaviour among medical students attending seven of the medical schools in Turkey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross- sectional descriptive study was performed during the second semester of the first and last (sixth) years of study from March to May 2011. A questionnaire with two sections was specifically designed. The first section contained questions on demographic characteristics; the second consisted of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP) Scale. From a total of 2,309 medical students, 2,118 (response rate 91.7%) completed the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t, Anova, Tukey test and binary logistic regression analysis. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Erciyes University.

RESULTS

The mean age was 20.7±2.9 years and it was found that 55.1% were men, 62.3% were in the first year. The overall prevalence of smoking was 19.1%, and for drinking alcohol was 19.4%. HPLP point averages of the first year students were 129.2±17.7, and for last year 125.5±19.0. The overall mean score for the HPLP II was 2.5±0.4. They scored highest on the spiritual growth subscale (2.9±0.5), interpersonal relations (2.8±0.5), health responsibility subscale (2.3±0.5), nutrition subscale (2.3±0.5), stress management subscale (2.3±0.4), and the lowest subscale physical activity (2.0±0.5). It is established that student's grade, educational level of parents, economic status of family, marital status, smoking and general health perception of the students resulted in a significant difference in HPLP Scale total score average and the mean score of majority of subscales.There was no statistically significant difference between the total HPLP when evaluated for gender, chronic disease, alcohol drinking status and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, particularly in the curriculum of medical students in order to increase positive health behaviours including physical activity, health promotion issues, and giving more space to aim at behaviour change in these matters is recommended.

Factors Associated With Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in a Sample of Turkish Adolescents: A School-Based Study

PURPOSE

This was a descriptive-correlational study designed to determine factors associated with the healthy lifestyle behaviors of high school students in Turkey.

DESIGN

The study sample consisted of 812 high school adolescents. The Adolescent Lifestyle Profile scale was used to identify the healthy lifestyle behaviors of adolescents.

RESULTS

The total Adolescent Lifestyle Profile mean score of 2.75 ± 0.33 and the mean score on the Interpersonal relations subscale were found to be the highest scores while the mean score on the Health responsibility subscale was found to be the lowest. Significant predictors of healthy lifestyle behaviors of adolescents were good relationships with family and friends, having a father who was a college graduate, and good health perception.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed similar results among adolescents of different cultures.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

These findings can be used as a guide in developing an adolescent health promotion program for school nurses.

Factors Affecting Health-Promoting Behaviors in Nursing Students at a University in Turkey

This descriptive study was carried out to determine factors affecting health-promoting behaviors in nursing students. The sample consisted of 245 students. A questionnaire about factors affecting lifestyle behavior and the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile Scale-II were used to collect data from 245 nursing students during the spring semester of the 2012-2013 academic year. A significant difference was found between students with and without diagnosed health problems in terms of their mean scores on the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile Scale-II subscales of health responsibility, spiritual growth, and interpersonal relations, as well as their total mean scores ( p < .05). The exercise, nutrition, spiritual growth, and stress management subscale scores of those students regularly going for health checks were determined to be significantly higher than those of the students who did not obtain regular health checks. Students’ healthy lifestyle behaviors were generally found to be at the medium level. This study provides evidence of the need for interventions to help nurses in Turkey.

The efficacy of an educational intervention on health behaviors in a sample of Turkish female nursing students: a longitudinal, quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Unhealthy behaviors are a key factors leading to health problems. It remains unclear whether an educational intervention has a long term effect on health behaviors of nursing students.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term effect of an educational intervention on the health behaviors and examine predictors of change in these behaviors in Turkish female baccalaureate nursing students.

DESIGN

Quasi-experimental design with one-group, pre- and posttest, and 3-year follow-up.

SETTING

The study was conducted in a school of nursing in Turkey.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred-eight students participated in this study.

METHODS

Data were collected before and after the implementation of the educational intervention by using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-I (HPLP-I). Descriptive statistics, the one-way analysis of variance for repeated measures and multiple linear regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

There were significant differences among the three time points in terms of the HPLP-I total and subscales scores (self-actualization, health responsibility, exercise, nutrition and stress management), except for interpersonal support (p<.05). The positive effect of intervention on the HPLP-I total and health responsibility subscale scores was maintained during the 3-year follow-up period (p<.05). The amount of change from pretest to posttest in the total HPLP-I score was the only predictor of the 3-year change in the total scale score (unstandardized β=0.538; p<.001), after adjustment for the potential confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The educational intervention was partially effective in improving all health behaviors of the nursing students over the long term. Nursing students who demonstrated higher levels of benefit from the intervention were more likely to have more positive health behaviors at the 3-year point. The findings of this study highlight the importance of the integration of health behaviors within the nursing curriculum.

Health promoting Behaviors Among Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study

Background:

Health maintenance and promotion are the fundamental prerequisites to community development. The best time for establishing healthy lifestyle habits is during adolescence.

Objectives:

Due to importance of health promotion behaviors in adolescents, this study was conducted to investigate health-promoting behaviors and its associated factors among high school students in Rasht, Iran.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 424 students during the first semester of the year 2012. We employed the multistage sampling design to recruit from private and public high schools in Rasht, Iran. The data collection instrument was a self-report questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part of instrument was consisted of demographic questionnaire and the second part was adolescent health promotion scale (AHPS) questionnaire. AHPS questionnaire was consisted of six dimensions (nutrition, social support, health responsibility, life appreciation, physical activity, and stress management) to measure health promoting lifestyles. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 16 software employing ANOVA (analysis of variance) test, t-test, Mann-Whitney, and the Kruskal-Wallis.

Results:

The score of total Adolescent Health Promotion Scale were 3.58 ± 0.52 (possible range was 1-5). The highest score was in life appreciation dimension (3.99 ± 0.068) and the lowest score was in health responsibility dimension. Moreover, Significant associations were found between the adolescent health promotion Scale with age (P < 0.001), gender (P < 0.003), school grade (P < 0.011), father’s educational level (P < 0.045), mother’s educational level (P < 0.021), and mother’s occupation (P < 0.008).

Conclusions:

Female and older students are at higher risk of developing unhealthy lifestyle. Consequently, healthcare providers, health instructors, schoolteachers, and families must pay more attention to these students. Moreover, as most of lifelong healthy and unhealthy lifestyle habits are established during adolescence, developing effective health promotion and disease prevention strategies for adolescents seems crucial.

Healthy lifestyles of university students in China and influential factors

This study was conducted to analyze to what extent university students exhibit healthy lifestyles and which sociodemographic variables influence healthy lifestyles. 4809 university students randomly selected were measured by use of the Healthy Lifestyle Scale for University Students questionnaire. When controlling for the other variables, the total healthy lifestyles score was predicted by gender, grade, father's level of education, and type of institution; exercise behaviour was partially predicted by gender, grade, type of institution, and family monthly income; regular behaviour was modulated by gender, grade, type of institution, family monthly income, and father's educational level; nutrition behaviour was partially affected by type of institution, family monthly income, and father's educational level; health risk behaviour was modulated by gender, mother's level of education, and family monthly income; health responsibility was modulated by gender, grade, type of institution, and father's educational level; social support was modulated by gender, grade, and father's educational level; stress management was modulated by gender, grade, type of institution, and mother's education level; life appreciation was modulated by grade, type of institution, and mother's educational level. These influences should be taken into account in designing interventions for specific socio-demographic profiles that might be at higher risk for certain behaviours.

Healthy life-style promoting behaviour in Turkish women aged 18-64

AIM

In this study we aimed to investigate the healthy life-style behaviour of Turkish women and establish influencing features.

METHODS

This descriptive study performed by a questionnaire method was conducted in a primary health care centre, in an urban region in Kayseri, Turkey. Every midwife region belonging to the health care centre was accepted as a cluster, and a sample of 450 women between ages 18-64, was gathered from 9 midwife regions. The Health Promotion Life-style Profile (HPLP) was applied to evaluated the healthy life- style behaviour of 421 women that could be reached. T test, Tukey HSD with ANOVA, and chi square tests were used for analysis.

RESULTS

The mean total HPLP was 126.8 ± 19.2 (interpersonal support subscale, 74.3 ± 14.1; nutrition subscale, 73.6 ± 12.6; self-actualisation subscale, 70.6 ± 11.9; stress management subscale, 63.4 ± 13.0; health responsibility subscale, 61.2 ± 13.2; and exercise subscale, 47.1 ± 15.0). There was no statistically significant variation when evaluated for age, marital state, family type, economic status, and perception of self-health, smoking, and BMI. HPLP was high in people with an education of primary school and lower in university graduates, in people who lived mostly in the city centre and in individuals with chronic diseases. In conclusion, it was established that the health promoting behaviour in Turkish women is, in general, at a medium level, and women should be enlightened in order to develop and increase the habit of health preservation and promotion.

Health-promoting lifestyle behaviour for cancer prevention: a survey of Turkish university students

BACKGROUND

Health risks associated with unhealthy behaviours in adolescent and university students contribute to the development of health problems in later life. During the past twenty years, there has been a dramatic increase in public, private, and professional interest in preventing disability and death through changes in lifestyle and participation in screening programs. The aim of the study was to evaluate university students' health-promoting lifestyle behaviour for cancer prevention.

METHOD

This study was carried out on university students who had education in sports, health and social areas in Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey. The health-promoting lifestyles of university students were measured with the "health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP)" The survey was conducted from March 2011 to July 2011 and the study sample consisted of 1007 university students. T-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analyses were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

In the univariate analyses, the overall HPLP score was significantly related to students' school, sex, age, school grades, their status of received health education lessons, place of birth, longest place of residence, current place of residence, health insurance, family income, alcohol use, their status in sports, and self-perceived health status. Healthier behaviour was found in those students whose parents had higher secondary degrees, and in students who had no siblings. In the multiple regression model, healthier behaviour was observed in Physical Education and Sports students, fourth-year students, those who exercised regularly, had a good self-perceived health status, who lived with their family, and who had received health education lessons.

CONCLUSION

In general, in order to ensure cancer prevention and a healthy life style, social, cultural and sportive activities should be encouraged and educational programmes supporting these goals should be designed and applied in all stages of life from childhood through adulthood.

Physical activity and mental well-being in student nurses

There is strong evidence that suggests physical activity can enhance mental well-being. However, this relationship has not been widely investigated in student nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between physical activity and mental well-being in undergraduate student nurses (n=215). Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Other outcomes included self-esteem, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, outcome expectations and self-efficacy. Almost, a quarter (23.8%) of the total sample, were meeting the Department of Health's physical activity guideline. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.0 with 40% being in the overweight to morbidly obese category. Self-esteem was significantly positively correlated with total physical activity (r=0.16, p=0.038) and moderate intensity activity (r=0.17, p=0.021). No other significant relationships were found between anxiety, depression and satisfaction with life and physical activity. Outcome expectations for exercise and self-efficacy were significantly positively correlated with moderate (r=0.17, p=0.019) and vigorous (r=0.28, p=0.000) intensity activity and total physical activity (r=0.29, p=0.000). BMI was significantly positively correlated with age (r=0.242, p=0.001), significantly negatively correlated with self-efficacy for exercise (r=0.257, p=0.000) and satisfaction with life (r=-0.144, p=0.041). Regression analysis showed that low self efficacy for exercise and increasing age were significant predictors of BMI with a small effect size r(2)=0.126, adjusted r(2)=0.112. BMI and physical activity variables collectively explained only 2% of the variance for anxiety, 4% for depression, 5% for self esteem and 6% for satisfaction with life. BMI was a significant predictor of satisfaction with life (Beta=-0.171, p=0.027). Participation in physical activity may be influential in improving mental well-being in student nurses. Promoting physical activity in student nurses has the potential to increase self-esteem and life satisfaction and decrease the risk of anxiety and depression. Further research is needed to establish whether this relationship is causal and exists in other student nurse populations.

Healthy lifestyle behaviour in university students and influential factors in eastern Turkey

This research was carried out to determine the healthy lifestyle behaviour of university students receiving education in central Erzincan. The population of this descriptive and cross-sectional research included a total of 4506 students receiving education at Erzincan University in the city centre, and the sampling included 981 students selected by a simple random sampling method from these schools. Data were collected between April and May 2008 by using an identification form and the Health Promotion Life-Style Profile (HPLP) Scale. Healthy lifestyle behaviour point averages of students were detected to be at medium level (118.41±20.90). It was established that student's grade, educational level of parents, economic status of the family and the student, the place where the student stays and smoking status of the student resulted in a significant difference in HPLP Scale total score average and the mean score of the majority of subscales.

Validation of the psychometric properties of the health-promoting lifestyle profile in a sample of Taiwanese women

Purpose

To examine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Chinese health-promoting lifestyle profile II (HPLP II) among Taiwanese women.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from 137 middle-aged women in southern Taiwan. HPLP II reliability was estimated with Cronbach’s α coefficient, and concurrent validity was estimated with Pearson’s correlation between the HPLP II, the World Health Organization’s abbreviated Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF), perceived health, and demographic variables. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) evaluated construct validity.

Results

Initial CFA using a six-factor measurement model aligned with the original HPLP II, excepting the factor loading of one subsequently excluded item. CFA of the revised 51-item HPLP II yielded a good estimate of fit. Correlations between the revised instrument and the six subscales were acceptable >0.7. The Cronbach’s α coefficient surpassed 0.7 for the revised instrument and six subscales ranged from 0.71 to 0.91. The relationships between the 51-item instrument, perceived health, WHOQOL-BREF domain scores, and demographic variables were also significantly positive.

Conclusions

The revised HPLP II scale is appropriate to measure the health-promoting lifestyles of Taiwanese women.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11136-010-9790-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.