Gender Differences Regarding Lifestyle Habits Among Students From Two Egyptian Universities

Abstract

Background: University students face multiple stressors while accomplishing their academic goals. University students might adopt risky or unhealthy behaviors. Objective: To determine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two Egyptian Universities governmental and private. A self-administered Arabic questionnaire was used to explore students' behaviors. Response rate was 97%. Results: A total of 1133 students were included in the current analysis. The average age was 19.9±1.6 years, with 43.3% males. Approximately 23% of the students were physically active, 42.4% had adequate water drinking, 14.3% were currently using tobacco 28.7% in males and 3.3% in females, and 8% had ever consumed alcohol and/or used illicit drugs in their lives. Multivariate regression showed that the likelihood of adequate water drinking was lower in students studying in private university as well as in females aOR=0.51 and aOR=0.39, respectively, p<0.001. The likelihood of regular exercise was significantly lower in females than males aOR= 0.38 and aOR=0.29, respectively, p<0.001. The likelihood of ever smoking any form of tobacco was significantly higher in a student studying in a private university aOR=3.01, p<0.001, students aged 22 years or more aOR=3.09, p<0.0001 and in students who have a monthly expenditure >1500 LE. The likelihood of ever smoking any form of tobacco, alcohol use or illicit drug use was significantly lower in females aOR=0.09, aOR=0.15, and aOR=0.11, respectively, p<0.0001. Conclusion: There were high prevalence of multiple undesirable lifestyle behaviors among studied students. Educational and other preventive activities should be directed to private Universities and on male students.