Abstract
Objectives: This research aimed to explore the health behaviours of health sciences students over time and across different settings. Methods: A health behaviour surveillance system has been implemented in Hamburg and Manchester among under- and postgraduate health sciences students. Trends among the Hamburg sample were described. In a cross-sectional assessment, health behaviours across both universities were examined using multivariate regression analysis. Results: Between 2014 and 2018, increasing trends in physical activity and cannabis and alcohol consumption were observed in Hamburg (n = 1,366). While fruit and vegetable intake was constantly low, tobacco smoking decreased. No clear trend was observed for stress perception. The comparison (n = 474) revealed that Manchester students had higher odds of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and fruit and vegetable consumption; and lower odds of being physically active, and consuming cannabis. No difference in stress perception was observed. Conclusions: Varying trends and potential areas of intervention were identified for health behaviours in Hamburg. The comparison with Manchester students revealed differences in behaviours, which could be further explored to help inform health promotion strategies in both settings.
Highlights
Whilst university students are considered to be healthy or even privileged, there is an increasing trend in their health risk behaviours like smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and drug use which, among others, may affect students’ physical and mental health in the long term [1, 2]
Studies found that these students, albeit equipped with better health knowledge, show a greater risk of mental health problems and tend to exhibit health-risk behaviours to cope with higher levels of stress, insomnia, or lacking social support compared to other students or their non-student peers [4,5,6,7,8]
During the first year of university, students face considerably elevated stress levels, marking this critical transition in young people’s lives [11]. Health risk behaviours such as alcohol and drug intake and inadequate diet can lead to adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause mortality [12,13,14]
Summary
Whilst university students are considered to be healthy or even privileged, there is an increasing trend in their health risk behaviours like smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and drug use which, among others, may affect students’ physical and mental health in the long term [1, 2]. In the world of public health, medical students represent a vulnerable yet poorly represented group; this is important as their health-related behaviour influences their academic performance and their coping abilities in later working life [3, 4]. Studies found that these students, albeit equipped with better health knowledge, show a greater risk of mental health problems and tend to exhibit health-risk behaviours to cope with higher levels of stress, insomnia, or lacking social support compared to other students or their non-student peers [4,5,6,7,8]. Data about public health and medical students are scarce, with mostly cross-sectional rather than longitudinal investigations being carried out in Europe, largely neglecting public health and health sciences students [16,17,18,19,20]
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