Analysis of the Lifestyle of Spanish Undergraduate Nursing Students and Comparison with Students of Other Degrees

Predictors of Condom Use among College Students

Consistent condom use is recognized as one of the most effective strategies to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Despite their effectiveness, condoms remain fairly well used among younger people. The conception of appropriate measures to change behaviors needs a deep understanding of the factors underlying poor adherence to condom use. This study aims to identify the predictors of condom use among college students. A cross-sectional, correlational, and predictive study was conducted involving a convenience sample of 1946 university students, with an average age of 21 years (20.74 ± 2.32). Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) was used as a conceptual and methodological framework to understand the relationship between the predictors of condom use. An explanatory theoretical model of condom use behavior was established using path analysis. Condom use among young people is infrequent, with only 39.4% of respondents reporting consistent use. Perceived benefits, positive feelings, and interpersonal influences emerged as variables with the most explicitly positive influence on the commitment to condom use, a trend confirmed for both sexes. Commitment was the strongest predictor of condom use behavior (β = 0.580; p < 0.001). Pender's HPM is effective in explaining the relationships between the predictors of condom use.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Health Behaviours and the Literacy of Future Healthcare Professionals

Our everyday behaviours in life can positively and negatively impact our health, thus cumulatively shaping our lifestyles as more or less healthy. These behaviours are often determined by our knowledge, literacy, motivations and socioeconomic backgrounds. The authors aimed to assess health behaviours and explore variables that may affect persons studying to become future healthcare professionals in Poland. This study was conducted with a group of 275 undergraduate students attending the Poznan University of Medical Sciences representing six different majors of study. We used self-reported, cross-sectional survey conducted through the use of a questionnaire that consisted of one standardised scale (Juczyński’s Health Behaviour Inventory) as well as a self-developed health literacy measure. The students showed average to high levels of health-promoting behaviours (mean HBI = 82.04 ± 11.26). Medium to strong associations were found between these behaviours and high scores on the health literacy scale (p = 0.001, r = 0.45 between total scores of the two scales). Dietetics students and female respondents scored significantly better on both scales, which suggests that their self-reported behaviours and health literacy were higher than those of other participants. Exhibiting health-protective behaviours and high health literacy is likely to result in the better individual health of our respondents, but, more importantly, will also influence their future professions. As members of the healthcare workforce they will be responsible for the health of the population and it is crucial for them not only to provide care, education, and guidance, but also to act as role-models for their patients and society.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Health Behaviours and the Literacy of Future Healthcare Professionals

Our everyday behaviours in life can positively and negatively impact our health, thus cumulatively shaping our lifestyles as more or less healthy. These behaviours are often determined by our knowledge, literacy, motivations and socioeconomic backgrounds. The authors aimed to assess health behaviours and explore variables that may affect persons studying to become future healthcare professionals in Poland. This study was conducted with a group of 275 undergraduate students attending the Poznan University of Medical Sciences representing six different majors of study. We used self-reported, cross-sectional survey conducted through the use of a questionnaire that consisted of one standardised scale (Juczyński’s Health Behaviour Inventory) as well as a self-developed health literacy measure. The students showed average to high levels of health-promoting behaviours (mean HBI = 82.04 ± 11.26). Medium to strong associations were found between these behaviours and high scores on the health literacy scale (p = 0.001, r = 0.45 between total scores of the two scales). Dietetics students and female respondents scored significantly better on both scales, which suggests that their self-reported behaviours and health literacy were higher than those of other participants. Exhibiting health-protective behaviours and high health literacy is likely to result in the better individual health of our respondents, but, more importantly, will also influence their future professions. As members of the healthcare workforce they will be responsible for the health of the population and it is crucial for them not only to provide care, education, and guidance, but also to act as role-models for their patients and society.

The Validity and Reliability of the FANTASTIC Questionnaire for Nutritional and Lifestyle Studies in University Students

The FANTASTIC questionnaire is a scientific instrument that can be used by health professionals for quickly and effectively measuring the quality of life and lifestyle of people. It is a simple questionnaire that measures different dimensions including nutritional status, but the possibility of using it as a resource for studies in the nutritional field (regardless of its correlation with this) has never been considered, nor has it been used for studies in university populations. The aim was to validate the FANTASTIC questionnaire to report on the participant’s lifestyle in a Spanish university population by using a cross-sectional study. A sample of 501 participants was obtained. The study was approved by the Ethics Research Committee of Catholic University of Valencia, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Sociodemographic, lifestyle variables, habitual diet, and nutrition-related lifestyle were collected individually. Participants also completed the self-administered FANTASTIC questionnaire. The reliability analysis of the FANTASTIC questionnaire revealed a Cronbach’s Alpha statistic result of 0.797. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) value was 0.786, with a significant Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (p = 0.000). This shows that the FANTASTIC questionnaire has good internal consistency and good construct validity. A retest was performed in four weeks’ time, showing excellent intraclass correlation values. We consider the applicability of the FANTASTIC questionnaire for nutritional studies in Spanish university students to be appropriate, and most students have high scores in the nutritional aspects of the questionnaire, showing correct diet implementation and good cooking skills.