Risk behaviors related to chronic diseases, depression and school performance in college students

Section: Originals

How to quote

Ríos R, Guillén DM. Conductas de riesgo relacionadas con enfermedades crónicas, depresión y rendimiento escolar en estudiantes universitarios. Rev. iberoam. Educ. investi. Enferm. 2012; 2(4):10-9.

Authors

Refugio Ríos, Dulce María Guillén

Position

Profesoras titulares de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala (México).

Abstract

Chronic diseases are associated with risk factors related to harmful lifestyles to health, such as: use of tobbaco, alcohol, physical inactivity, hypertension, and dyslipidemias. These factors are related to changes in lifestyle resulting from the modernization. The aim of this study was to assess risk behaviors and, depressive indicators regarding the academic performance of college students.
Methodology: cross correlation study with a stratified random sample of 750 college students, of both sexes and different careers. Risk behaviors were assessed by Lopez et al’s FANTASTIC, adapted by Rios and Guillen and to measure depressive indicators used the CES-D 1994 Casullo adapted by Ríos et ál. University and school performance was evaluated through the review of students' academic records.
Results: the lifestyle in most students was dangerous 86,4%, in 12,8% was normal, good in 8% and in 0% excellent. The depression levels found were low in 16,5% of students, moderate in 64,3 % and in 19,2% high, despite what was reported by other studies, we found no evidence to affirm gender differences, but we did find differences according to the studies whose average scores were higher for students of biology and psychology first, followed by nursing, optometry and dental surgeons and being medicine being the lowest score. No differences were found in students of different careers and the relationship between school performance, lifestyle and depression was non significant negative.
Conclusions: institutional actions are required to promote the implementation of corrective and preventive measures to modify risk behaviors and improve lifestyles and lower the levels of depression in undergraduate students in order to promote efficiency with healthier lives.

 

Keywords:

chronic degenerative diseases; risk behavior; depression; school performance; students

Versión en Español

Título:

Conductas de riesgo relacionadas con enfermedades crónicas, depresión y rendimiento escolar en estudiantes universitarios

Artículo completo no disponible en este idioma / Full article is not available in this language

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