Exploring Trends and Differences in Health Behaviours of Health Sciences University Students from Germany and England: Findings from the 'SuSy' Project

Autor: Alexandra Kalbus, Juliane Boenecke, Maxine Holt, Susan Powell, Ralf Reintjes
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Public Health Reviews, Vol 42 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2107-6952
DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1603965
Popis: 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.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals