Abstract
Young persons are vulnerable to risky health behaviors which can predispose them to serious morbidities later in life. The objectives of this study were to identify risky lifestyle habits among college students and explore the relationship between unhealthy habits and self- reported academic performance. An adapted behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) questionnaire was administered to 400 college students by systematic random sampling, Anonymously filled questionnaires were deposited at agreed safe locations after completion and retrieved thereafter. Data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 21. Chi Square Test which was used to explore possible association between demographic variables and responses. Level of significance was set at 0.05. The median age of respondents was 22 years (range 17-30). Prevalence of prescription drug (codeine) abuse was 17.3% while use of tobacco, alcohol and hard drugs were 14%., 56.2% and 9.3% respectively. More than half of the students were sexually active with more males 79 (35%) reporting multiple sexual partners. More than half, 163 (68.5%) of those who had ever engaged in sexual intercourse claimed that they always or sometimes use some form of protection. More than three quarters ate breakfast regularly. More males 207 (91.6%) than females 339 (84.8%) claimed to eat fruits and vegetables regularly. Majority, 339 (84.8%) admitted eating nodules more than five times a week. The association between alcohol usage and self -reported academic performance was statistically significant but appears not to be negative. However, TV viewing for more than 2 hours a day was significantly associated with poor academic performance, Chi Square 22.940, df, 12, P=0.028. Conclusively, risky lifestyle habits among undergraduate students included smoking, alcohol usage, use of hard drugs and unprotected sexual intercourse. Poor habits that reduce sleep quality could negatively affect students’ academic performance.
Highlights
Young people constitute a significant proportion of the population
1 in 5 persons living in the Middle East and Africa are between the ages of 15 to 24 years [1,2]
Identifying risky lifestyle and determining prevalence of risk factors in adolescents is critical to developing risk reduction strategies [10]
Summary
Young people constitute a significant proportion of the population. Nearly 1 in 5 persons living in the Middle East and Africa are between the ages of 15 to 24 years [1,2]. Young persons are vulnerable to potentially harmful activities because of a high propensity to be involved in risky health behaviors [4]. Such behaviors include use of tobacco and other illicit psychoactive substances, excessive use of alcohol, poor dietary pattern, physical inactivity, lack of sufficient sleep, and unprotected sexual activity [5,6,7]. A significant proportion of youths 15-19 years are enrolled in colleges or tertiary institutions. This is an ideal setting to carry out interventions to prevent and manage risky behaviors in adolescents.
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