Evaluacija zdravstvenih rizika koji dominantno utiču na zdravstveni potencijal studentske populacije u toku pandemije COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the health potential of populations around the world. The student population was greatly affect-ed by the conditions of the pandemic, quarantine and state of emergency. Health risks that dominantly affect the level of health potential of the stu-dent population have been significantly changed in these conditions of life and social functioning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health risks that students were predominantly exposed to during the coronavirus disease pandemic. The research is designed as a cross-sectional study, and the research technique is a survey. The research instrument is a survey questionnaire, constructed for the needs of this study. The ques-tionnaire examines the health risks to which the student population was exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted in the period from May to June 2022 at the Faculty of Health and Business Studies in Valjevo, Singidunum University. The sample of respondents is not-randomized, 142 students participated in the research. The research was voluntary and anonymous. The majority of students believe that ex-posure to health risks is greater during the pandemic (80%). Health risks that are dominantly present in the student population are an improper diet, increased stress levels, feelings of anxiety and depression, physical inactivity, sleep and rest disorders, cigarette and alcohol consumption, excessive use of social networks. Health risks were more frequent in the population of female students, while health potential and personal per-ception of one's own health were lower in students with chronic diseases and comorbidities. The pandemic conditions negatively affected the health potential of the student population. The presence of health risks can permanently jeopardize young people's health, quality of life and can lead to irreversible consequences. The presence of multiple health risks in people with chronic diseases can influence the development of chronic diseases and affect the length of life.