The Survey of Health-Promoting Behaviors among Students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2022: A Descriptive Study

Health-promoting behaviors and healthy lifestyle are the main strategies to facilitate and maintain health. The purpose of this research was to determine health-promoting behaviors in students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.

In this descriptive study, 450 students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences were studied by stratified random sampling method in 2022. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic information and a valid health-promoting behavior questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed as a self-report by students. Data were analyzed using independent two-sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance.

The mean and standard deviation of the age of the students was 20.86±3.19 years. The scores of the self-improvement section (23.33±5.20) were the highest scores and the scores of the stress management section (18.54±3.68) were the lowest scores. There was a significant statistical association between the total score of students' health-promoting behaviors and the scores of the variables of marital status and educational level (p<0.05). Also, a statistically significant association was observed between the physical activity dimension score and the gender variable and the responsibility and nutrition dimensions score and the marital status variable (p<0.05).

Since the total score of the health-promoting behaviors of the studied students was in the middle class, with proper planning, the university can help students create a positive health concept and strengthen their awareness and performance about balanced nutrition, regular exercise, stress management, and attention to their health or self-care.