Evaluation of healthy lifestyles in students of the Chair of Community Health I FCM UNC 2023

Abstract

To evaluate healthy lifestyles in the student population of the Chair of Community Health I FCM UNC, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. The survey "How is my PAHO lifestyle" was used with questions covering domains: physical activity, rest, nutrition, oral health, sexuality, mobility, substance use, lifestyle and environment. An anonymous online survey was conducted using Chi2 and Fisher hypothesis tests. Protocol approved by PAHO ethics committee. Inclusion Criteria: students of the subject of the year 2023.

438 students were invited to participate, the response rate was 88.6% (n 388). 76.6% obtained a score >70 points which would correspond to healthy lifestyle habits, 15.4% between 59 to 69 (adequate), 3.4% between 41 to 58 (changes are required) and 4.6% ≤40 indicating that they did not have them. 43.5% do not perform physical activity, 54.8% sometimes have trouble sleeping, 46.7% have stress and tension problems, 65.8% enjoy free time, 49.7% avoid junk food, 26.8% feel good about their weight, 85.6% answer that oral health is important and 65.4% visit the dentist, 97.3% perform pregnancy prevention, 86.5% avoided sex having consumed alcohol and 95.9% value affection in sexual relations. 82.5% respect safety regulations, 77.2% use seat belts and 92.6% respond not to drive having consumed alcohol. 62.7% consume energy drinks, 32.6% smoke, 15.7% consume psychoactive substances after entering college while 8% did so before. 94.6% are satisfied with themselves and with what they do, 66.4% know how to say no, 43.9% recycle sometimes. The analysis of variables by age and sex is not included in the abstract. 

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. All variable associations had Chi2 values less than 13.7 and p less than 0.0006. Collective intervention strategies such as awareness workshops or talks / debate should be generated to modify these risk factors.