Prävalenz von Erkrankungen und Beschwerden bei Studierenden in NRW

Why Do Students Walk or Cycle for Transportation? Perceived Study Environment and Psychological Determinants as Predictors of Active Transportation by University Students

University students are particularly at risk to suffer from physical and psychological complaints and for not fulfilling health-oriented physical activity (PA) recommendations. Since PA is linked with various benefits for health and educational outcomes, the group of students is of particular interest for PA promotion. Although active commuting has been identified as a relevant domain of PA in order to gain the various benefits of PA, little knowledge is available with respect to university students. This study tested conditions in the study environment, as well as personal motivators and barriers, as determinants for the active transportation of university students. Using a cross-sectional convenience sample of a university in the southwest of Germany (n = 997), we applied factor analyses to bundle relevant information on environmental and psychological determinants (adapted NEWS-G; adapted transport-related items from an Australian university survey) and blockwise hierarchical regressions. The objective was to analyze associations between the bundled determinants and self-reports on PA for transport-related walking and cycling (measured by the EHIS-PAQ). Results revealed associations between transport-related cycling and the perceived study environment (e.g., high automobile traffic) as well as certain personal motivators and barriers (e.g., time effort or weather conditions). The study contributes to the knowledge about determinants that are important for the development and improvement of public health interventions for students in a university setting.

Evaluation des Gesundheitsverhaltens Studierender

Im Rahmen der Gesundheitsinitiative „Healthy Campus” werden an der Universität Bonn über Online-Befragungen Gesundheits- und Lebensstilparameter der Studierenden evaluiert. Einen zentralen Bestandteil der Befragungen bilden Skalen, die verschiedene gesundheitsbezogene Kompetenzen abbilden. An einer semesterübergreifenden Stichprobe von N = 1 879 Studierenden (67 % Frauen, 33 % Männer) konnte ein in vorangegangenen Studien erarbeitetes Modell der Gesundheitskompetenz erstmals an einer substantiellen studentischen Stichprobe repliziert werden. Zusätzlich konnte anhand eines MIMIC-Modells die Modellgültigkeit sowie die Messäquivalenz für weibliche und männliche Studierende nachgewiesen werden. Darüber hinaus konnten durch das Modell 40 % der Varianz in der Häufigkeit gesundheitlicher Beschwerden vorhergesagt werden. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass neben einer an den Bedürfnissen und Erfordernissen der Studierenden ausgerichteten Modifikation universitärer Angebote eine gezielte Stärkung gesundheitsbezogener Kompetenzen zu einer Verbesserung der psychischen und körperlichen Gesundheit der Studierenden beitragen könnte. Die Erfassung der Gesundheitskompetenz kann daher zur differentiellen Entwicklung individueller Interventionen genutzt werden.

Health-related locus of control and health behaviour among university students in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany

Background

Health control beliefs were postulated to be associated with health behaviour. However, the results of studies assessing these associations suggest that they might not be universal. Among young adults associations have been reported, but the evidence is limited. The objective of this analysis was to re-examine these associations in a sample of university students in Germany.

Findings

Data from a multicentre cross-sectional study among university students in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany was used (N=3,306). The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale with three dimensions (one internal and two external) and six aspects of health behaviour (smoking habits, alcohol use, drug consumption, being over-/ or underweight, physical activity, and importance of healthy nutrition) were evaluated. Students with stronger internal locus of control paid more attention to healthy nutrition and displayed a higher level of physical activity. Individuals with a stronger belief in health professionals were less likely to use drugs and paid more attention to healthy nutrition. Furthermore, higher scores in the second external locus of control dimension (beliefs in luck or chance) were associated with a higher likelihood of current smoking, lower physical activity and less attention to healthy nutrition.

Conclusions

Students engaged more strongly in unhealthy behaviour if they believed that luck determines health. In contrast, believing in having control over one’s own health was associated with more healthy behaviour. These findings support the need to consider health control beliefs while designing preventive strategies in this specific population.