Evaluation of healthy lifestyles in students of the Chair of Community Health I FCM UNC 2022

Abstract

To evaluate the healthy lifestyles in the student population of the Community Health Chair I FCM UNC, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study and compared it with other similar studies conducted by the chair.

The survey how is my lifestyle OPS was used, with questions that cover the following domains: physical activity, rest, nutrition, oral health, sexuality, mobility, substance use, lifestyle, and environment. An anonymous online survey was conducted. Protocol Validated by the PAHO Ethics Committee. Inclusion Criteria: students who took the course in 2021. 473 students were invited to participate, the response rate was 60.9% (n=288).

73% obtained a score >70 points, which would correspond to healthy lifestyle habits, while in 2018 the percentage had been 78%. 13% between 59 to 69 (adequate), 6% between 41 to 58 (changes required) and 8% ≤40 indicating that they did not have them. 42.7% do not engage in physical activity (38.6% in 2018), 53.3% sometimes have trouble sleeping, 43.5% have stress and tension problems, 65% enjoy free time, 30.3% avoid junk food, 28% feel good about their weight, 88.3% respond that oral health is important and 52.8% visit the dentist, 98.5% carry out pregnancy prevention, 85.7% avoid sexual relations having consumed alcohol and 98.5% value affection in sexual relations. 83.5% respect safety regulations, 75.9% use a seat belt and 89.2% respond not to drive after consuming alcohol. 48.5% consume energy drinks, 17.6% smoke, 10% consume psychoactive substances after entering university while 8% did so before. In this regard, in 2018 the use of psychoactive substances was almost double (17.2%). 96.4% are satisfied with themselves and with what they do, 64.8% know how to say no, which shows a significant increase in this variable since in 2018 it was 40.9%,.In terms of recycling, 47.6% recycle sometimes.

Although the scale classifies more than 70% of the population with healthy habits, lifestyles related to physical activity, nutrition, consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances, and rest were inadequate. Chi² values less than 13.7 were obtained, p less than 0.0006. It is recommended to implement prevention actions and conduct new surveys to compare and confirm these data.