Health-promoting Lifestyle Behaviour for Cancer Prevention: a Survey of Turkish University Students

Abstract

Background: Health risks associated with unhealthy behaviours in adolescent and university students contribute to the development of health problems in later life. During the past twenty years, there has been a dramatic increase in public, private, and professional interest in preventing disability and death through changes in lifestyle and participation in screening programs. The aim of the study was to evaluate university students' health-promoting lifestyle behaviour for cancer prevention. Method: This study was carried out on university students who had education in sports, health and social areas in Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey. The health-promoting lifestyles of university students were measured with the ''health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP)'' The survey was conducted from March 2011 to July 2011 and the study sample consisted of 1007 university students. T-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analyses were used for statistical analyses. Results: In the univariate analyses, the overall HPLP score was significantly related to students' school, sex, age, school grades, their status of received health education lessons, place of birth, longest place of residence, current place of residence, health insurance, family income, alcohol use, their status in sports, and self-perceived health status. Healthier behaviour was found in those students whose parents had higher secondary degrees, and in students who had no siblings. In the multiple regression model, healthier behaviour was observed in Physical Education and Sports students, fourth-year students, those who exercised regularly, had a good self-perceived health status, who lived with their family, and who had received health education lessons. Conclusion: In general, in order to ensure cancer prevention and a healthy life style, social, cultural and sportive activities should be encouraged and educational programmes supporting these goals should be designed and applied in all stages of life from childhood through adulthood.

Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviour in Medical Students: a Multicentre Study from Turkey

“…Similar studies also support these results (Can et al, 2008;Ay et al, 2012;Al-Naggar et al, 2013;Ozveren H et al, 2013).…”

“…In those studies (Walker et al, 1988;Unalan et al, 2007;Al Kandari et al, 2008;Kreutz et al, 2009;Ay et al, 2012), it is found that consciousness of health increases with age. The reason we found contradicting results with this study may be associated with the stress and responsibilities of the medical students with rising ages.…”

Does Familial History of Cancer Affect the General Health Conditions and Healthy Lifestyle Behavior of Nursing and Midwifery Students?

“…In other studies where the behaviors of students with regard to protection from cancer were examined, similar results were reached (19,33,34). The findings of our study may have risen form reasons such as most of the students residing in dormitories, the students spending most of their day at school, and the insufficiency of sports fields.…”

The Effect of Health Promoting Intervention on Healthy Lifestyle and Social Support in Elders: A Clinical Trial Study

“…Perceived health status was achieved by asking, "How do you evaluate your health conditions at the moment?" (good, average, bad) (15). …”