Hygienic Aspects of Health of Junior Students of a Medical University

Abstract

Background: The task of preserving and improving health of university students is a priority in modern Russia. The purpose of the study was to analyze the health status and to identify priority health risk factors of junior students of a medical university. Materials and methods: Health assessment was carried out with account for disease incidence (based on the journal of registration of student health records), lifestyle (results of a questionnaire-based survey), and physical development (medical examination results). The study involved 789 to 1,165 first to third-year medical university students. Results: We established an increase in the incidence of diseases with temporary disability in the surveyed students by 17.8 % in 2014–2017. The increase was more pronounced among the most common health disorders such as diseases of the respiratory, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems, injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes. The most prevalent behavioral risk factors included bad habits, lack of sleep and exercise. According to the results of a physical development study, 11.65 % of the boys and 10.93 % of the girls were overweight, 4.89 % of the boys and 3.68 % of the girls had classes I-III obesity while 29.03 % of the students were underweight. Bioelectrical impedance analysis showed a fat mass deficiency in 42.48 % and 33.29 % and an increased fat mass in 34.21 % and 43.20 % of the boy and girl students, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings will help determine directions for maintaining health of medical students.