Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Research Assistants and Final-Year Students in the Medical Faculty

Background: This study aimed to identify the health-related behaviors and associated factors among research assistants and final-year students at a Faculty of Medicine.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 712 assistant physicians and final-year medical students participated. Data collection involved using a survey form to inquire about participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and the “Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II (HPLP II).” Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests with Bonferroni correction were employed for data analysis.

Results: Among the participants, 52.5% were assistant physicians, 47.5% were final-year students, and 50.4% were women. Physicians scored an average of 120.0 ± 16.5 on the HPLP II, with the lowest in the physical activity subscale and the highest score in the spiritual development subscale. Healthy lifestyles were more prevalent in those aged 23-28, in those not married and who are childless, women, non-shift workers, nonsmokers, those with chronic conditions, and those perceiving their health as good or fair.

Conclusion: Factors influencing healthy lifestyle behaviors include age, marital status, parenthood, smoking and alcohol habits, work unit, health perception, and chronic diseases. Analyzing and conducting studies on modifiable characteristics are recommended to enhance health.

Cite this article as: Torun N, Aras A, Vançelik S, Koşan Z, Yilmaz S. Healthy lifestyle behaviors of research assistants and final-year students in the medical faculty. Eurasian J Med. 2024;56(3):159- 162.