Prevalence of health behaviors and their associated factors among a sample of university students in India

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Supa Pengpid ◽  
Krishna Mohan
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Behavior Index

Abstract Objective: With advances in knowledge about health promotion, public health professionals are in search for the determinants of personal health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of health behaviors and its associated factors in a sample of Indian university students. Materials and methods: Using a cross-sectional survey, we assessed health behavior among a sample of randomly selected university students. The sample included 800 university students from non-health (mainly engineering and sciences) undergraduate courses of Gitam University, Visakhapatnam in India. The students were 541 (67.6%) males and 259 (32.4%) females in the age range of 17–20 years (Median age=18.2 years, SD=1.0). Results: On average, students engaged in 15.8 out of 25 health behavior practices. There was a high rate of overweight and obesity (26.8% and 10.7%, respectively), low rate of brushing teeth at least twice a day (28.6%), annual dental check-up (25.8%), habitual seatbelt use (23%), and poor dietary patterns (79% ate less than the recommended fruit and vegetable consumption of five servings a day, and 68.5% did not avoid eating fat and cholesterol). In multivariate analysis among men, personal constraints (Odds Ratio=OR 1.75, Confidence Interval=CI 1.09–2.82), health benefits (OR=2.01, CI=1.27–3.17), and not suffering from depression (OR=0.60, CI=0.22–0.94) were associated with the health behavior index. Among women, those who were living away from their parents or guardians (OR=1.94, CI=1.06–3.55), economically better off (OR=2.16, CI=1.00–4.63), and had higher social support (OR=3.65, CI=1.75–7.63), were associated with the health behavior index. Discussion: Students had a high proportion of health behavior practices. Several high health risk practices were identified, including overweight, poor dental practices, poor dietary and sleeping habits. It is hoped that the gender-specific predictors identified, including sociodemographics as well as social and mental health variables, can also be utilized in designing health promotion programs.

Subjective happiness and health behavior among a sample of university students in India

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1045-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Supa Pengpid
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Personal Mastery ◽  
Normal Sleep ◽  
Asian Indian Population ◽  
Age Range

The aim in this study was to establish the associations between health behaviors and happiness in an Asian (Indian) population. In a cross-sectional survey we assessed happiness and health behavior among a sample of 800 randomly selected university students taking nonhealth (mainly engineering and sciences) undergraduate courses at Gitam University, Visakhapatnam in India. The students were 541 (67.6%) males and 259 (32.4%) females in the age range of 17 to 20 years (M age 18.2 years, SD = 1.0). We performed multivariate analysis and found that better social support, better personal mastery, normal sleep duration, no current tobacco use, and eating breakfast daily or almost daily were associated with happiness. The findings partially confirmed the association between happiness and several health behaviors mediated by social factors. Our findings can be utilized in programs designed to improve overall well-being of university students in India.

scholarly journals Use of Folk Therapy in Taiwan: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey of Prevalence and Associated Factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Chuan Shih ◽  
Lu-Hsiang Huang ◽  
Hsin-Long Lane ◽  
Chin-Chuan Tsai ◽  
Jaung-Geng Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
National Health ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Medical Utilization ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Factors Associated

Background. This study investigates the prevalence of and factors associated with users of folk therapy in Taiwan.Methods. Using data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey and the National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 16,750 adults aged 20 years and older. Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, medical utilization, and health behaviors were compared between people using and not using folk therapy. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of factors associated with folk therapy were analyzed.Results. The one-month prevalence of folk therapy use was 6.8%, which was significantly associated with ages of 30–59 years (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.49–2.63), women (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.40–1.90), nonindigenous population (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.14–3.17), having two or more unhealthy lifestyle habits (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.26–1.81), high density of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.20–1.62), and being ill without receiving medical care in past six months (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.76–2.53). Medical care utilization of TCM and Western medicine were also associated factors for folk therapy.Conclusions. The use of folk therapy is correlated with sociodemographics, lifestyle and health behaviors.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of excess body weight in university students

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dartagnan Pinto Guedes ◽  
André Luís dos Santos Silva
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
University Students ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Drug Misuse ◽  
Excess Body Weight ◽  
University Environment ◽  
Modifiable Factors

abstract – This study aimed to identify the prevalence of excess body weight in university students from a representative state in Brazil's southern region and establish associations with the demographic, university environment, and health behavior correlates. A random sample of 5,310 university students answered an online questionnaire with demographic, university environment, and eight health behavior data. Excess body weight was identified using the body mass index (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). The data were processed using bivariate analysis and hierarchical multiple regression. The overall prevalence of excess body weight exposure was equivalent to 39.1% [35.7-42.6], with significantly different rates between gender, age, and marital status. Likewise, housing type and study year showed significant associations with excess body weight. Among health behavior indicators, with control of all other variables involved in the model, depressive symptoms (p = 0.031), high stress (p = 0.045), sleep duration < 6 hours/night (p < 0.001), moderate-vigorous physical activity < 150 min/week (p = 0.022) and fruit/vegetable consumption < 5 servings per day (p < 0.001) were independently associated with the outcome. However, tobacco use, binge drinking, and prescription drug misuse did not remain in the adjusted multivariate model. In conclusion, the findings emphasize the importance of proposing and implementing multifaceted preventive intervention actions to prevent health outcomes related to excess body weight, once since significant associations with modifiable factors have been identified.

Limited Improvements in Health Behaviors Suggest Need to Review Approaches to Health Promotion: A Repeated, Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 155982762090937
Author(s):  
Craig M. Becker ◽  
Kerry Sewell ◽  
Hui Bian ◽  
Joseph G. L. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Periods

Purpose. To broadly assess changes in key health behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and one outcome (body mass index) between 2001-2006 and 2011-2016. Design. Repeated cross-sectional study. Setting. The United States of America. Participants. Noninstitutionalized adults age 24 to 39 participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Analysis. We used 2-sample t tests and χ2 tests to compare differences in health behaviors between the 2 time periods. Results. Data revealed a downward trend in both moderate and vigorous physical activity (P = .00), and fruit and vegetable consumption decreased (P = .003). Cigarette smoking decreased (P = .04), and there was no substantive change in heavy drinking between the 2 time periods. Body mass index was higher in the later time period (P = .00). Conclusion. Despite sustained funding efforts, we found little evidence that health behaviors improved between the 2 time periods. Indeed, many health behaviors have remained the same or worsened over time. These findings suggest the need to reflect on the appropriateness of the health promotion approaches being used.

scholarly journals Is Socioeconomic Advantage Associated With Positive Health Behaviors and Health Outcomes Among Asian Indians?

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 233339281983037
Author(s):  
Beverly Gor ◽  
Vishnu P. Nepal ◽  
Rashmi Dongardive ◽  
V. K. Dorai ◽  
Mala Pande
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Multinomial Regression ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Convenience Sample

Objective: The South Asian Health Needs Assessment was conducted to collect health status information on the rapidly growing Asian Indian (AI) community in the Houston area. Many were highly educated and reported high income levels, factors usually associated with better health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between socioeconomic advantage and the health behaviors and health outcomes of AIs. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from a convenience sample of 1416 AIs. Income was categorized as low, medium, and high. Descriptive statistics were generated by income categories and weighted multinomial regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of income with health behaviors and outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, health insurance, and years in the United States. Results: Income was positively associated with better self-rated health, higher body mass index, moderate physical activity, having shingles vaccine, and cervical cancer screening. Income was inversely associated with perceived stress and heart disease. However, income was not significantly associated with alternative therapies, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, self-reported overweight/obesity, fruit and vegetable consumption, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and screening for breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Conclusions: Socioeconomic advantage was not consistently associated with positive health outcomes or desired health behaviors among AIs. We speculate that other factors, including cultural beliefs and acculturation may also impact health behaviors and health outcomes in this group. Further studies examining the influence of these variables on health behaviors and health outcomes are warranted.

scholarly journals Perceived Social Support predicts Psychological Problems among University Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Syeda Razia Bukhari ◽  
Firdous Afzal
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
University Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽  
The Impact

Background: psychological problems are prevailing among university students, which need the attention of university management, government, social workers, and counsellors as well. Aims: to find out the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress among students, and their level of perceived social support. Study also aims to find the impact of perceived social support on psychological problems (depression, anxiety, and stress). Methodology: Cross sectional survey designed was used to collect data, from 200 university students (m=100; f=100). They were selected through purposive sampling technique from various universities of Karachi, Pakistan with mean age (21.79 ±2.970). Depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the student’s level of depression, anxiety and stress (Lovibond & lovibond, 1995). Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS) (Zimet et al. 1988) was used to measure social support. Regression analysis was used to test assumption. Results: In our sample out of 200 students, 58%, 69%, 40% have mild to severe level of depression, anxiety and stress respectively. Perceived social supports predict 6%depression and 2% anxiety in our sample respectively. Conclusion: Depression, Anxiety and Stress are highly prevailing among university students. Perceived social support is negatively associated with depression, anxiety and stress. While perceived social support is a significant negative predictor of depression and anxiety. Implications: It is implicated that university students needs counselling services as they are having high rate of psychological problems and low levels of perceived social support. University management should develop policies and programs for increasing perceived social support among students. Future research should look at role of coping in influence of perceived social support on psychological problems.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B vaccination status and associated factors among university students in Ghana: A cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akwasi Adjei Gyimah ◽  
Prince Peprah ◽  
Williams Agyemang-Duah ◽  
Eric Frimpong ◽  
Ariel Kwegyir Tsiboe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
University Students ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional
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