Health Protective Behaviour among Medical Students in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The well-being of medical students is essential in shaping their future professional performance. As future healthcare providers, they are expected to have model health protective behaviour and have a significant impact on health practices of the general public. Hence it is essential to determine health protective behaviour among medical students. Objective: To assess the health protective behaviour among medical students. Materials and Methods: A Cross - sectional study was conducted for two months from October 2024 to November 2024 among 220 Medical students of first- and second-year students of aged above 18 years. A pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire and Health Promoting and Protective Behaviors Scale (HPPBS) used for collection of data. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee, and informed consent was taken from the study participant. Collected data was entered into a Microsoft excel and analysed using EPi- info version 7.23 (CDC). Descriptive variables are represented with frequency, percentage. mean and standard deviation. T- test used for comparing means and p value of <0.05 is considered as statistically significant. Results: out of 220 medical students 61% were female. The mean age of the students is 19.88±1.09 years. overall health protective behaviour scores show as good (25%), average (69%), poor (6%). Only 34% had adequate physical activity. 60% students were in normal range of Body mass index. Mean scores of Physical, psychosocial and protection dimensions were determined as 27.15 ± 3.95, 17.94 ± 2.22, and 44.35 ± 5.61 respectively. Conclusions: Majority were demonstrated have average overall Health Protective Behaviour. It represented that students have suboptimal engagement in practices, which are essential for physical and mental well-being. It emphasizes the importance of integrating health-promoting strategies within the medical education environment focusing on physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and sleep hygiene.