Lifestyle of Tabriz Medical Science University and Tabriz University Students.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Lifestyle is one of the major effective factors on health. Nowadays with the change of diseases continuum from communicable diseases toward non-communicable diseases with most of them have source of individual behaviors and habits is clarified the role of lifestyle more than before. In fact during student hood, young adults gradually exert more control on their lifestyle and might obtain most of behaviors which promote their health state or vice versa threaten it. The purpose of this study is investigation and comparison of lifestyle of Tabriz Medical Science University and Tabriz University Students. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive comparative study which was applied on 384 students of Tabriz medical science university and 384 Tabriz university students. The data collecting instrument was a self -reported questionnaire involving and parts which first part was contained demographic characteristics and the other parts were just measured 7 lifestyle parts including physical activity food habits, self-care, stress management, spirituality, smoking and alcohol consumption. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and independent sample t-test. Results: Finding indicated that most students of both universities had risky physical activity (39.84% & 37.24%), poor nutritional habits (0.16% & 64.06%), moderate self –care (58.60% & 50.27%), moderate stress management (60.16% & 64.06%), and good spirituality (72.92% & 69.27%) condition respectively. Also majority of subjects in both universities were non –smoker (62.50% & 51.82%) and did not consume alcohol (81.89% & 76.15%). Independent sample t test showed that students of two universities had significant difference in the fields of self –care (p<0.01) spirituality (p<0.05), smoking (p<0.01) and alcohol consumption (p<0.05) but had not significant difference in the fields of physical activity, food habits and stress management. Discussion: Risky physical activity and poor nutritional habits conditions of students distinguishes demand to the basic action for promoting physical activity level and correcting food habits, as an important part of young generation and originative of country development. Also the findings indicated that as a total, there is no obvious differences among Tabriz medical sciences university and Tabriz university students, which showed training of medical science student about healthy lifestyle and non –communicable disease related to risk factors has not efficient effect on their practices. According to these findings it seems to be necessary to emphasize on practical education for students about healthy lifestyle and prevention on non-communicable diseases which lead to changes in their behaviors.