Young persons are vulnerable to risky health behaviors which can predispose them to serious morbidities later in life. The objectives of this study were to identify risky lifestyle habits among college students and explore the relationship between unhealthy habits and self-reported academic performance. An adapted behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) questionnaire was administered to 400 college students by systematic random sampling, Anonymously filled questionnaires were deposited at agreed safe locations after completion and retrieved thereafter. Data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 21. Chi Square Test which was used to explore possible association between demographic variables and responses. Level of significance was set at 0.05. The median age of respondents was 22 years (range 17-30). Prevalence of prescription drug (codeine) abuse was 17.3% while use of tobacco, alcohol and hard drugs were 14%., 56.2% and 9.3% respectively. More than half of the students were sexually active with more males 79 (35%) reporting multiple sexual partners. More than half, 163 (68.5%) of those who had ever engaged in sexual intercourse claimed that they always or sometimes use some form of protection. More than three quarters ate breakfast regularly. More males 207 (91.6%) than females 339 (84.8%) claimed to eat fruits and vegetables regularly. Majority, 339 (84.8%) admitted eating nodules more than five times a week. The association between alcohol usage and self-reported academic performance was statistically significant but appears not to be negative. However, TV viewing for more than 2 hours a day was significantly associated with poor academic performance, Chi Square 22.940, df, 12, P=0.028. Conclusively, risky lifestyle habits among undergraduate students included smoking, alcohol usage, use of hard drugs and unprotected sexual intercourse. Poor habits that reduce sleep quality could negatively affect students' academic performance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.